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Park HH, Fermin DJ. Recent Developments in Atomic Layer Deposition of Functional Overlayers in Perovskite Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:3112. [PMID: 38133009 PMCID: PMC10745498 DOI: 10.3390/nano13243112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, research in organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has gathered unprecedented momentum, putting the technology on the brink of full-scale commercialization. A wide range of strategies have been implemented for enhancing the power conversion efficiency of devices and modules, as well as improving stability toward high levels of irradiation, temperature, and humidity. Another key element in the path to commercialization is the scalability of device manufacturing, which requires large-scale deposition of conformal layers without compromising the delicate structure of the perovskite film. In this context, atomic layer deposition (ALD) tools excel in depositing high-quality conformal films with precise control of film composition and thickness over large areas at relatively low processing temperatures. In this commentary, we will briefly outline recent progress in PSC technology enabled by ALD tools, focusing on layers deposited above the absorber layer. These interlayers include charge transport layers, passivation layers, buffer layers, and encapsulation techniques. Additionally, we will discuss some of the challenges and potential avenues for research in PSC technology underpinned by ALD tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Hejin Park
- Advanced Materials Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- Department of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - David J. Fermin
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
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Yu X, Ge W, Fan L, Fan B, Peng R, Jin B. C 60-CN: A bifunctional interface modification material for perovskite solar cells. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 650:553-559. [PMID: 37423182 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.06.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is regularly used as an electron transport material in n-i-p perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, massive defects exist on the TiO2 surface, which will lead to serious hysteresis and interface charge recombination of the device, thus affecting the device's efficiency. In this study, a cyano fullerene pyrrolidine derivative (C60-CN) was synthesized and applied to PSCs for the first time to modify the TiO2 electron transport layer. Systematic studies have shown that the addition of the C60-CN modification layer on the TiO2 surface will enlargement the perovskite grain size, improve the perovskite film quality, enhance electron transport, and reduce charge recombination. The C60-CN layer can significantly reduce the density of trap states in the perovskite solar cells. As a result, the PSCs based on C60-CN/TiO2 obtained a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.60%, suppressing the hysteresis and improving the stability, whereas the PCE of the control device using the original TiO2 ETL was lower, 17.19%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Sichuan Mianyang 621010, PR China; Kunshan GCL Photoelectric Material Ltd. Co, Suzhou 215300, PR China
| | - Wenqi Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Sichuan Mianyang 621010, PR China; Kunshan GCL Photoelectric Material Ltd. Co, Suzhou 215300, PR China
| | - Lisheng Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Sichuan Mianyang 621010, PR China; Kunshan GCL Photoelectric Material Ltd. Co, Suzhou 215300, PR China
| | - Bing Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Sichuan Mianyang 621010, PR China; Kunshan GCL Photoelectric Material Ltd. Co, Suzhou 215300, PR China
| | - Rufang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Sichuan Mianyang 621010, PR China; Kunshan GCL Photoelectric Material Ltd. Co, Suzhou 215300, PR China
| | - Bo Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Sichuan Mianyang 621010, PR China; Kunshan GCL Photoelectric Material Ltd. Co, Suzhou 215300, PR China.
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Matkivskyi V, Leiviskä O, Wenner S, Liu H, Vähänissi V, Savin H, Di Sabatino M, Tranell G. Atomic Layer Deposition of Titanium Oxide-Based Films for Semiconductor Applications-Effects of Precursor and Operating Conditions. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:5522. [PMID: 37629812 PMCID: PMC10456286 DOI: 10.3390/ma16165522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Two widely used atomic layer deposition precursors, Tetrakis (dimethylamido) titanium (TDMA-Ti) and titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), were investigated for use in the deposition of TiOx-based thin films as a passivating contact material for solar cells. This study revealed that both precursors are suited to similar deposition temperatures (150 °C). Post-deposition annealing plays a major role in optimising the titanium oxide (TiOx) film passivation properties, improving minority carrier lifetime (τeff) by more than 200 µs. Aluminium oxide deposited together with titanium oxide (AlOy/TiOx) reduced the sheet resistance by 40% compared with pure TiOx. It was also revealed that the passivation quality of the (AlOy/TiOx) stack depends on the precursor and ratio of AlOy to TiOx deposition cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladyslav Matkivskyi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Alfred Getz vei 2B, 7034 Trondheim, Norway; (M.D.S.); (G.T.)
| | - Oskari Leiviskä
- Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, Aalto University, Tietotie 3, 02150 Espoo, Finland; (O.L.); (H.L.); (V.V.); (H.S.)
| | - Sigurd Wenner
- SINTEF Industry, Høgskoleringen 5, 7034 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Hanchen Liu
- Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, Aalto University, Tietotie 3, 02150 Espoo, Finland; (O.L.); (H.L.); (V.V.); (H.S.)
| | - Ville Vähänissi
- Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, Aalto University, Tietotie 3, 02150 Espoo, Finland; (O.L.); (H.L.); (V.V.); (H.S.)
| | - Hele Savin
- Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, Aalto University, Tietotie 3, 02150 Espoo, Finland; (O.L.); (H.L.); (V.V.); (H.S.)
| | - Marisa Di Sabatino
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Alfred Getz vei 2B, 7034 Trondheim, Norway; (M.D.S.); (G.T.)
| | - Gabriella Tranell
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Alfred Getz vei 2B, 7034 Trondheim, Norway; (M.D.S.); (G.T.)
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Wu M, Zhuang Q, Lin J, Peng Y, Luo F, Liu Z, Farooq U, Zhang Q. Enrichment of the flavonoid fraction from Eucommia ulmoides leaves by a liquid antisolvent precipitation method and evaluation of antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo. RSC Adv 2023; 13:17406-17419. [PMID: 37313520 PMCID: PMC10258675 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra00800b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Eucommia ulmoides leaves originate from the dry leaves of the Eucommia ulmoides plant. Flavonoids are the main functional components of Eucommia ulmoides leaves. Some flavonoids such as rutin, kaempferol and quercetin are rich in Eucommia ulmoides, and they have outstanding antioxidant efficacy. However, the poor water solubility significantly affects the bioavailability of flavonoids. In this study, we used a liquid antisolvent precipitation (LAP) method to enrich the main flavonoid fractions in Eucommia ulmoides leaves, and prepared nanoparticles by the LAP method to increase flavonoids' solubility and antioxidant properties. The technological parameters were optimized by Box-Behnken Design (BBD) software and were displayed as follows: (1) total flavonoids (TFs) concentration: 83 mg mL-1; (2) antisolvent-solvent ratio: 11; (3) deposition temperature: 27 °C. Under optimal processing conditions, the purity and recovery rate of TFs were 88.32% ± 2.54% and 88.08% ± 2.13%, respectively. In vitro experiments showed that the radical scavenging IC50 values for DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions were 16.72 ± 1.07, 10.76 ± 0.13, 227.68 ± 18.23 and 335.86 ± 15.98 μg mL-1, respectively. In vivo studies showed that the obtained purified flavonoid (PF) (100, 200, 400 mg kg-1) treatment is able to improve CCl4-induced liver and kidney damage through adjusting, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. These results demonstrated that the LAP method is capable of extracting TFs from Eucommia ulmoides leaves with high bioaccessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfang Wu
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology 318 Liuhe Road Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China +86 571 8507 0340
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Chemical and Biological Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China
| | - Qianli Zhuang
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology 318 Liuhe Road Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China +86 571 8507 0340
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Chemical and Biological Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China
| | - Junkai Lin
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology 318 Liuhe Road Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China +86 571 8507 0340
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Chemical and Biological Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China
| | - Yaya Peng
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology 318 Liuhe Road Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China +86 571 8507 0340
| | - Fei Luo
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology 318 Liuhe Road Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China +86 571 8507 0340
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Chemical and Biological Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China
| | - Zixuan Liu
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology 318 Liuhe Road Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China +86 571 8507 0340
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Chemical and Biological Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province Hangzhou 310023 Zhejiang China
| | | | - Qian Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University Harbin 150040 Heilongjiang China
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Investigating the Morphology, Optical, and Thermal Properties of Multiphase-TiO2/MAPbI3 Heterogeneous Thin-Films for Solar Cell Applications. CONDENSED MATTER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/condmat7020039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The present study evaluates the effect of mesoporous multiphase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) as an electron transporting layer and investigates the influence of phase composition on the perovskite solar cell (PSC) performances. This study also aims to evaluate PSC performance using conductive silver ink as an alternative counter electrode. The heterogeneous PSC thin-film solar cells were successfully fabricated and assembled by using a simple a doctor blade and two-step spin coating methods under ambient conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph images investigate methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) crystal formation on the mesoporous TiO2 surface structure. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) spectra reveal excellent qualitative and quantitative analysis corresponding to the SEM images in the TiO2/MAPbI3 heterogeneous thin films. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) characterization reveals that the TiO2/MAPbI3 thin films are thermally stable recording a maximum of 15.7% mass loss at 800 °C elevated temperatures. Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) characterized the effect of multiphase TiO2 phase transformation on the TiO2/MAPbI3 recombination efficiencies. A maximum of 6% power conversion efficiency (PCE) with the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.58 ± 0.02 V and short circuit current (Jsc) of 3.89 ± 0.17 mAcm−2 was achieved for devices with an active area of 3 × 10−4 m2 demonstrating that the synthesized multiphase TiO2 nanoparticles are promising for large surface area manufacturing. Therefore, it is apparent that multiphase TiO2 NPs play a significant role in the performance of the final device.
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Masroor Z, Ali U, Akram MA, Basit MA. Investigating the physicochemical response of CdS quantum-dots deposition over SiO2-incorporated TiO2 photoanodes for solar cells. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.128131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Xu D, Yin J, Gao Y, Zhu D, Wang S. Atomic-Scale Designing of Zeolite Based Catalysts by Atomic Layer Deposition. Chemphyschem 2021; 22:1287-1301. [PMID: 33844400 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202100116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Zeolite-supported catalysts have been widely used in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. Atomic-scale governing the metal or acid sites on zeolites still encounters great challenge in controllable synthesis and developing of novel catalysts. Atomic layer deposition (ALD), owing to its unique character of self-limiting surface reactions, becomes one of the most promising and controllable strategies to tailor the metallic deposition sites in atomic scale precisely. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary and viewpoint of recent research in designing and engineering the structural of zeolite-based catalysts via ALD method. A prior focus is laid on the deposition of metals on the zeolites with emphasis on the isolated states of metals, followed by introducing the selected metals into channels of zeolites associates with identifying the location of metals in and/or out of the channels. Subsequently, detailed analysis of tailoring the acid sites of different zeolites is provided. Assisted synthesis of zeolite and the regioselective deposition of metal on special sites to modify the structures of zeolites are also critically discussed. We further summarize the challenges of ALD with respect to engineering the active sites in heterogeneous zeolite-based catalysts and provide the perspectives on the development in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Energy Research Institute, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Junqing Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Gao
- Energy Research Institute, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Zhu
- Energy Research Institute, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuyuan Wang
- Energy Research Institute, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, People's Republic of China
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Influence of Alumina Addition on the Optical Properties and the Thermal Stability of Titania Thin Films and Inverse Opals Produced by Atomic Layer Deposition. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11041053. [PMID: 33924052 PMCID: PMC8074236 DOI: 10.3390/nano11041053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
TiO2 thin films deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) at low temperatures (<100 °C) are, in general, amorphous and exhibit a smaller refractive index in comparison to their crystalline counterparts. Nonetheless, low-temperature ALD is needed when the substrates or templates are based on polymeric materials, as the deposition has to be performed below their glass transition or melting temperatures. This is the case for photonic crystals generated via ALD infiltration of self-assembled polystyrene templates. When heated up, crystal phase transformations take place in the thin films or photonic structures, and the accompanying volume reduction as well as the burn-out of residual impurities can lead to mechanical instability. The introduction of cation doping (e.g., Al or Nb) in bulk TiO2 parts is known to alter phase transitions and to stabilize crystalline phases. In this work, we have developed low-temperature ALD super-cycles to introduce Al2O3 into TiO2 thin films and photonic crystals. The aluminum oxide content was adjusted by varying the TiO2:Al2O3 internal loop ratio within the ALD super-cycle. Both thin films and inverse opal photonic crystal structures were subjected to thermal treatments ranging from 200 to 1200 °C and were characterized by in- and ex-situ X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and spectroscopic reflectance measurements. The results show that the introduction of alumina affects the crystallization and phase transition temperatures of titania as well as the optical properties of the inverse opal photonic crystals (iPhC). The thermal stability of the titania iPhCs was increased by the alumina introduction, maintaining their photonic bandgap even after heat treatment at 900 °C and outperforming the pure titania, with the best results being achieved with the super-cycles corresponding to an estimated alumina content of 26 wt.%.
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Inorganic Materials by Atomic Layer Deposition for Perovskite Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11010088. [PMID: 33401576 PMCID: PMC7824461 DOI: 10.3390/nano11010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received much attention with their rapid progress during the past decade, coming close to the point of commercialization. Various approaches in the process of PSC development have been explored with the motivation to enhance the solar cell power conversion efficiency—while maintaining good device stability from light, temperature, and moisture—and simultaneously optimizing for scalability. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a powerful tool in depositing pinhole-free conformal thin-films with excellent reproducibility and accurate and simple control of thickness and material properties over a large area at low temperatures, making it a highly desirable tool to fabricate components of highly efficient, stable, and scalable PSCs. This review article summarizes ALD’s recent contributions to PSC development through charge transport layers, passivation layers, and buffer and recombination layers for tandem applications and encapsulation techniques. The future research directions of ALD in PSC progress and the remaining challenges will also be discussed.
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