Achieving high open circuit voltage for hole transport layer free ambient perovskite solar cells utilizing electric double layer effect

Sadhukhan, Priyabrata; Roy, Anurag; Bhandari, Shubhranshu; Mallick, Tapas K.; Das, Sachindranath; Sundaram, Senthilarasu

Abstract

One of the features of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) that make them stand out among all photovoltaics (PVs) is their high open-circuit voltage (VOC). Owing to their simple manufacturing process, low cost of components, and good stability, carbon electrode-based metal-halide PSCs are gaining interest for their better stability and low cost than noble metal electrodes. However, carbon electrode-based hybrid PSCs suffer low open-circuit voltage (VOC). This work demonstrated the fabrication of ambient processed hybrid perovskite solar cells using low-temperature curable carbon-based electrodes without a hole transport layer. The devices exhibit an impressive high open circuit voltage of 1.07 V, even without a dedicated hole transport layer. The photovoltaic performance was further investigated with the same perovskite absorber, synthesized by solution-processed and solid-state synthesis routes. The latter have yielded better short circuit current and power conversion efficiency due to perovskite's lesser built-in trap density. Furthermore, using a combined ionic electronic carrier transport model, an electric double-layer formation was ensured across the perovskite/carbon interface and accumulating halide vacancies at the perovskite/TiO2 interface can effectively reduce carrier recombination and boost the device's VOC. This study envisages the impact of the electric double layer in free carrier transport of an ionic-electronic semiconductor like hybrid perovskites and can pave the way to improve the open-circuit voltage of carbon-based perovskite solar cells.

Citation

Sadhukhan, P., Roy, A., Bhandari, S., Mallick, T. K., Das, S., & Sundaram, S. (2023). Achieving high open circuit voltage for hole transport layer free ambient perovskite solar cells utilizing electric double layer effect. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 251, Article 112148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2022.112148

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 4, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Dec 8, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Deposit Date: Jan 26, 2023
• Journal: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
• Print ISSN: 0927-0248
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 251
• Article Number: 112148
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2022.112148
• Keywords: Perovskite, Solar cell, Electric double layer, Carbon electrode