Self-Repairing Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells with a Breakthrough Efficiency Over 11

Challenges in tin perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells are the rising star of third-generation photovoltaic technology. With a power conversion efficiency of 25.5%, the record efficiency is close to the theoretical maximum efficiency of a single-junction solar cell. However, lead toxicity threatens commercialization efforts and market accessibility. In this context, Sn-based perovskites are a safe alternative. Nevertheless, the efficiency of Sn-based devices falls far behind the efficiency of Pb-based counterparts. This concise review sheds light on the challenges that the field faces toward making Sn-based perovskites the perovskite photovoltaic benchmark. We identified four key challenges: materials and solvents, film formation, Sn(II) oxidation, and energy band alignment. We illustrate every single challenge and highlight the most successful attempts to overcome them. Finally, we provide our opinion on the most promising trends of this field in the future.

Slow Passivation and Inverted Hysteresis for Hybrid Tin Perovskite Solar Cells Attaining 13.5% via Sequential Deposition

Herein, we report a sequential deposition procedure to passivate the surface of a hybrid mixed cationic tin perovskite (E1G20) with phenylhydrazinium thiocyanate (PHSCN) dissolved in trifluoroethanol solvent. The photoluminescence lifetime of the PHSCN film was enhanced by a factor of 6, while the charge-extraction rate from perovskite to C₆₀ layer was enhanced by a factor of 2.5, in comparison to those of the E1G20 film. A slow surface passivation was observed; the performance of the PHSCN device improved upon increasing the storage period to attain an efficiency of 13.5% for a current-voltage scan in the forward bias direction. An inverted effect of hysteresis was observed in that the efficiency of the forward scan was greater than that of the reverse scan. An ion-migration model as a result of the effect of the phenylhydrazinium surface passivation is proposed to account for the observed phenomena. The device was stable upon shelf storage in a glovebox for 3000 h.

2D Hybrid Halide Perovskites: Structure, Properties, and Applications in Solar Cells

2D metal-halide perovskites have attracted intense research interest due to superior long-term stability under ambient environments. Compared to their 3D analog, the alternate arrangement of organic and inorganic layers leads to forming a multilayer quantum well (MQW), which endows 2D perovskites with anisotropic optoelectronic properties. In addition, the spacer layer functions as a hydrophobic barrier to effectively prevent 2D perovskite films from ion migration and moisture penetrating, thus realizing outstanding stability. Recently, 2D perovskites have been widely developed with abundant species. The stunning photovoltaic performance with the coexistence of long-term stability and high-power conversion efficiency (PCE) has been realized in 2D perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which paves an avenue for commercialization of PSCs. This review begins with an introduction of crystal structure and crystallization kinetics to illustrate the unique layer characters in 2D perovskites. Then, electron structure, excitons, dielectric confinement, and intrinsic stability properties are discussed in detail. Next, the photovoltaic performance based on recent Ruddlesden-Popper (RP), Dion-Jacobson (DJ), and alternating cations in the interlayer (ACI) phase 2D-PSCs is comprehensively summarized. Finally, the confronting challenges and strategies toward structural design and optoelectronic studies of 2D perovskites are proposed to offer insight into the advanced underlying properties of this family of materials.

Perovskite indoor photovoltaics: opportunity and challenges

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoTs), photovoltaics (PVs) has a vast market supply gap of billion dollars. Moreover, it also puts forward new requirements for the development of indoor photovoltaic devices (IPVs). In recent years, PVs represented by organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), silicon solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), etc. considered for use in IoTs mechanisms have also been extensively investigated. However, there are few reports on the indoor applications of perovskite devices, even though it has the advantages of better performance. In fact, perovskite has the advantages of better bandgap adjustability, lower cost, and easier preparation of large-area on flexible substrates, compared with other types of IPVs. This review starts from the development status of IoTs and investigates the cost, technology, and future trends of IPVs. We believe that perovskite photovoltaics is more suitable for indoor applications and review some strategies for fabricating high-performance perovskite indoor photovoltaic devices (IPVs). Finally, we also put forward a perspective for the long-term development of perovskite IPVs.

Comparative Study of Recombination Dynamics in Optimized Composition of Sn- Versus Pb-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

The energy band gaps of Pb halide perovskites are higher than the optimal band gap required for single-junction solar cells, governed by the Shockley-Queisser radiative limit. The pure Sn and Pb-Sn mixed-based perovskites have drawn significant attention due to their ability to lead to lower band gaps and open a new door for all perovskite tandem applications. There has been continuous progress toward the rapid improvement in the power conversion efficiency of Sn and Pb-Sn mixed-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Along with efforts for efficiency, it is worth analyzing the in-depth recombination dynamics for further development of Sn-based PSCs. The lower bimolecular recombination rate constant (k) is often attributed to the high performance of PSCs. Herein, we study the role of "B" cations in charge carrier recombination dynamics (CCRD) of ABX₃ (A = MA⁺, FA⁺, and Cs⁺; B = Pb²⁺, Sn²⁺, and X = I^-)-based PSCs. We fabricated p-i-n configuration-based FA_0.95Cs_0.05PbI₃ (pure Pb), MA_0.20FA_0.75Cs_0.05SnI₃ (pure Sn), and (MAPbI₃)_0.4(FASnI₃)_0.6 (Pb-Sn mixed) PSCs and compared the CCRD of all the three PSCs. We optimized the Sn-based perovskite thin film (pure Sn) in terms of moisture and thermal stability in order to minimize the error due to perovskite degradation. We note that despite having lower open-circuit voltage (V_OC), a pure Sn-based PSC shows lower k than that of Pb-Sn mixed and pure Pb-based PSCs, which is a contradictory result. This slow relaxation lifetime of the charge carrier in Sn-based PSCs can be correlated with recombination through the defect states without introducing the quasi-Fermi-level splitting. Furthermore, our results suggest that the rate law of charge carrier decay has nonlinear dependence of k on n in Sn-based PSCs, whereas it is linear in the other two cases.

Heterogeneous 2D/3D Tin-Halides Perovskite Solar Cells with Certified Conversion Efficiency Breaking 14

As the most promising lead-free one, tin-halides based perovskite solar cells still suffer from the severe bulk-defect due to the easy oxidation of tin from divalent to tetravalent. Here, a general and effective strategy is delivered to modulate the microstructure of 2D/3D heterogeneous tin-perovskite absorber films by substituting FAI with FPEABr in FASnI₃ . The introduction of 2D phase can induce highly oriented growth of 3D FASnI₃ and it is revealed in the optimal 2D/3D film that 2D phase embraces 3D grains and locates at the surfaces and grain boundaries. The FPEA⁺ based 2D tin-perovskite capping layer can offer a reducing atmosphere for vulnerable 3D FASnI₃ grains. The unique microstructure effectively suppresses the well-known oxidation from Sn²⁺ to Sn⁴⁺ , as well as decreasing defect density, which leads to a remarkable enhanced device performance from 9.38% to 14.81% in conversion efficiency. The certified conversion efficiency of 14.03% announces a new record and moves a remarkable step from the last one (12.4%). Besides of this breakthrough, this work definitely paves a new way to fabricate high-quality tin-perovskite absorber film by constructing effective 2D/3D microstructures.

FA/MA Cation Exchange for Efficient and Reproducible Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Nontoxic tin-based perovskite solar cells (Sn-PSCs) as a promising alternative to toxic Pb-PSCs have drawn great attention in recent years for their environmental friendliness and unique optoelectronic properties. However, both the efficiency and long-term stability of Sn-PSCs are considerably inferior to those of Pb-based ones. One of the main reasons is the difficulty in obtaining high-quality Sn-perovskite films due to the rapid crystallization of Sn-perovskites, which also results in poor device reproducibility. Here, we report a novel cation exchange strategy to prepare high-quality formamidinium tin triiodide (FASnI₃) perovskite films with a better controlled crystallization process and improved reproducibility, which allows easy access to smooth and pinhole-free perovskite films with oriented crystal growth, enlarged grain size, and reduced trap-state density. The corresponding Sn-PSCs show excellent photovoltaic performance with a champion efficiency of 9.11%, comparable to the best results reported for FASnI₃-PSCs, and the devices also demonstrate outstanding long-term stability without encapsulation. Our results offer a practical strategy for fabricating Sn-PSCs with superb performance and stability.

Alternative Lone-Pair ns2 -Cation-Based Semiconductors beyond Lead Halide Perovskites for Optoelectronic Applications

Lead halide perovskites have emerged in the last decade as advantageous high-performance optoelectronic semiconductors, and have undergone rapid development for diverse applications such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes , and photodetectors. While material instability and lead toxicity are still major concerns hindering their commercialization, they offer promising prospects and design principles for developing promising optoelectronic materials. The distinguished optoelectronic properties of lead halide perovskites stem from the Pb²⁺ cation with a lone-pair 6s² electronic configuration embedded in a mixed covalent-ionic bonding lattice. Herein, we summarize alternative Pb-free semiconductors containing lone-pair ns² cations, intending to offer insights for developing potential optoelectronic materials other than lead halide perovskites. We start with the physical underpinning of how the ns² cations within the material lattice allow for superior optoelectronic properties. We then review the emerging Pb-free semiconductors containing ns² cations in terms of structural dimensionality, which is crucial for optoelectronic performance. For each category of materials, the research progresses on crystal structures, electronic/optical properties, device applications, and recent efforts for performance enhancements are overviewed. Finally, the issues hindering the further developments of studied materials are surveyed along with possible strategies to overcome them, which also provides an outlook on the future research in this field.

Formamidine Acetate Induces Regulation of Crystallization and Stabilization in Sn-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Sn-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received extensive attention for photovoltaic applications. Nevertheless, the low crystallization quality of the film due to rapid crystallization results in high trap density of states, which is one of the main reasons for poor performance of Sn-based PSC devices. In this work, we developed a strategy for the formation of FASnI₃ perovskites by introducing the addition of formamidine acetate (FAAc). Benefiting from the iodide-coordinated cation (FA⁺) and crystallization-regulated anion (AC^-), FAAc could achieve the high-quality films with suppressed defects. The champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of FAAc-modified PSC devices reached 9.96%, reserving 82% of their initial PCE of the light aging test over 1500 h. We hope that our finding could provide implications on the high-performance and stable Sn-based PSCs.

2D WSe2 Flakes for Synergistic Modulation of Grain Growth and Charge Transfer in Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Tin (Sn)-based perovskites with favorable optoelectronic properties and ideal bandgaps have emerged as promising alternatives to toxic lead (Pb)-based perovskites for photovoltaic applications. However, it is challenging to obtain high-quality Sn-based perovskite films by solution process. Here, liquid-exfoliated 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides (i.e., MoS2 , WS2 , and WSe2 ) with smooth and defect-free surfaces are applied as growth templates for spin-coated FASnI3 perovskite films, leading to van der Waals epitaxial growth of perovskite grains with a growth orientation along (100). The authors find that WSe2 has better energy alignment with FASnI3 than MoS2 and WS2 and results in a cascade band structure in resultant perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which can facilitate hole extraction and suppress interfacial charge recombination in the devices. The WSe2 -modified PSCs show a power conversion efficiency up to 10.47%, which is among the highest efficiency of FASnI3 -based PSCs. The appealing solution phase epitaxial growth of FASnI3 perovskite on 2D WSe2 flakes is expected to find broad applications in optoelectronic devices.

Wearable Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells Achieved by a Crystallographic Size Effect

Tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) demonstrate a potential application in wearable electronics due to its hypotoxicity. However, poor crystal quality is still the bottleneck for achieving high-performance flexible devices. In this work, graphite phase-C₃ N₄ (g-C₃ N₄ ) is applied into tin-based perovskite as a crystalline template, which delays crystallization via a size-effect and passivates defects simultaneously. The double hydrogen bond between g-C₃ N₄ and formamidine cation can optimize lattice matching and passivation. Moreover, the two-dimensional network structure of g-C₃ N₄ can fit on the crystals, resulting an enhanced hydrophobicity and oxidation resistance. Therefore, the flexible tin-based PSCs with g-C₃ N₄ realize a stabilized power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.56 % with negligible hysteresis. In addition, the PSCs can maintain 91 % of the initial PCE after 1000 h under N₂ environment and keep 92 % of their original PCE after 600 cycles at a curvature radius of 3 mm.

Degradation mechanism of hybrid tin-based perovskite solar cells and the critical role of tin (IV) iodide

Tin perovskites have emerged as promising alternatives to toxic lead perovskites in next-generation photovoltaics, but their poor environmental stability remains an obstacle towards more competitive performances. Therefore, a full understanding of their decomposition processes is needed to address these stability issues. Herein, we elucidate the degradation mechanism of 2D/3D tin perovskite films based on (PEA)0.2(FA)0.8SnI3 (where PEA is phenylethylammonium and FA is formamidinium). We show that SnI4, a product of the oxygen-induced degradation of tin perovskite, quickly evolves into iodine via the combined action of moisture and oxygen. We identify iodine as a highly aggressive species that can further oxidise the perovskite to more SnI4, establishing a cyclic degradation mechanism. Perovskite stability is then observed to strongly depend on the hole transport layer chosen as the substrate, which is exploited to tackle film degradation. These key insights will enable the future design and optimisation of stable tin-based perovskite optoelectronics.

The pursuit of stability in halide perovskites: the monovalent cation and the key for surface and bulk self-healing

We find significant differences between degradation and healing at the surface or in the bulk for each of the different APbBr₃ single crystals (A = CH₃NH₃⁺, methylammonium (MA); HC(NH₂)₂⁺, formamidinium (FA); and cesium, Cs⁺). Using 1- and 2-photon microscopy and photobleaching we conclude that kinetics dominate the surface and thermodynamics the bulk stability. Fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy, as well as results from several other methods, relate the (damaged) state of the halide perovskite (HaP) after photobleaching to its modified optical and electronic properties. The A cation type strongly influences both the kinetics and the thermodynamics of recovery and degradation: FA heals best the bulk material with faster self-healing; Cs⁺ protects the surface best, being the least volatile of the A cations and possibly through O-passivation; MA passivates defects via methylamine from photo-dissociation, which binds to Pb²⁺. DFT simulations provide insight into the passivating role of MA, and also indicate the importance of the Br₃^- defect as well as predicts its stability. The occurrence and rate of self-healing are suggested to explain the low effective defect density in the HaPs and through this, their excellent performance. These results rationalize the use of mixed A-cation materials for optimizing both solar cell stability and overall performance of HaP-based devices, and provide a basis for designing new HaP variants.

Ionic Liquid-Induced Ostwald Ripening Effect for Efficient and Stable Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Tin-based perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) are regarded as the most promising alternative among lead-free PVSCs. However, the rapid crystallization for tin-based perovskite tends to cause inferior film morphology and abundant defect states, which make poor photovoltaic performance. Here, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (BMIBr) ionic liquids (ILs) with strong polarity and a low melting point are first employed to produce the Ostwald ripening effect and obtain high-quality tin-based perovskite films with a large grain size. Meanwhile, the non-radiative recombination ascribed from defect states can also be effectively reduced for BMIBr-treated perovskite films. Consequently, a photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.09% for inverted tin-based PVSCs is attained by the Ostwald ripening effect. Moreover, the unencapsulated devices with BMIBr retain near 85% of the original PCE in a N₂ glovebox beyond 1200 h and about 40% of the original PCE after exposure to air for 48 h.

Lead-Free Perovskite Materials for Solar Cells

The toxicity issue of lead hinders large-scale commercial production and photovoltaic field application of lead halide perovskites. Some novel non- or low-toxic perovskite materials have been explored for development of environmentally friendly lead-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This review studies the substitution of equivalent/heterovalent metals for Pb based on first-principles calculation, summarizes the theoretical basis of lead-free perovskites, and screens out some promising lead-free candidates with suitable bandgap, optical, and electrical properties. Then, it reports notable achievements for the experimental studies of lead-free perovskites to date, including the crystal structure and material bandgap for all of lead-free materials and photovoltaic performance and stability for corresponding devices. The review finally discusses challenges facing the successful development and commercialization of lead-free PSCs and predicts the prospect of lead-free PSCs in the future.

Recent Progress in Fabrication of Antimony/Bismuth Chalcohalides for Lead-Free Solar Cell Applications

Despite their comparable performance to commercial solar systems, lead-based perovskite (Pb-perovskite) solar cells exhibit limitations including Pb toxicity and instability for industrial applications. To address these issues, two types of Pb-free materials have been proposed as alternatives to Pb-perovskite: perovskite-based and non-perovskite-based materials. In this review, we summarize the recent progress on solar cells based on antimony/bismuth (Sb/Bi) chalcohalides, representing Sb/Bi non-perovskite semiconductors containing chalcogenides and halides. Two types of ternary and quaternary chalcohalides are described, with their classification predicated on the fabrication method. We also highlight their utility as interfacial layers for improving other solar cells. This review provides clues for improving the performances of devices and design of multifunctional solar systems.