1
|
Min C, Chen Y, Yang Y, Wu H, Guo B, Wu S, Huang Q, Qin D, Hou L. A Simple and Effective Phosphine-Doping Technique for Solution-Processed Nanocrystal Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:nano13111766. [PMID: 37299669 DOI: 10.3390/nano13111766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Solution-processed cadmium telluride (CdTe) nanocrystal (NC) solar cells offer the advantages of low cost, low consumption of materials and large-scale production via a roll-to-roll manufacture process. Undecorated CdTe NC solar cells, however, tend to show inferior performance due to the abundant crystal boundaries within the active CdTe NC layer. The introduction of hole transport layer (HTL) is effective for promoting the performance of CdTe NC solar cells. Although high-performance CdTe NC solar cells have been realized by adopting organic HTLs, the contact resistance between active layer and the electrode is still a large problem due to the parasitic resistance of HTLs. Here, we developed a simple phosphine-doping technique via a solution process under ambient conditions using triphenylphosphine (TPP) as a phosphine source. This doping technique effectively promoted the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of devices to 5.41% and enabled the device to have extraordinary stability, showing a superior performance compared with the control device. Characterizations suggested that the introduction of the phosphine dopant led to higher carrier concentration, hole mobility and a longer lifetime of the carriers. Our work presents a new and simple phosphine-doping strategy for further improving the performance of CdTe NC solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenbo Min
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yihui Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yonglin Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Hongzhao Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Bailin Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Sirui Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Qichuan Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Donghuan Qin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Lintao Hou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Vacuum Coating Technologies and New Energy Materials, Siyuan Laboratory, Department of Physics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu A, Huang Q, Luo K, Qin D, Xu W, Wang D, Hou L. Efficient Nanocrystal Photovoltaics with PTAA as Hole Transport Layer. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3067. [PMID: 36080104 PMCID: PMC9458081 DOI: 10.3390/nano12173067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of solution-processed CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) solar cells has been significantly promoted in recent years due to the optimization of device design by advanced interface engineering techniques. However, further development of CdTe NC solar cells is still limited by the low open-circuit voltage (Voc) (mostly in range of 0.5-0.7 V), which is mainly attributed to the charge recombination at the CdTe/electrode interface. Herein, we demonstrate a high-efficiency CdTe NCs solar cell by using organic polymer poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine] (PTAA) as the hole transport layer (HTL) to decrease the interface recombination and enhance the Voc. The solar cell with the architecture of ITO/ZnO/CdS/CdSe/CdTe/PTAA/Au was fabricated via a layer-by-layer solution process. Experimental results show that PTAA offers better back contact for reducing interface resistance than the device without HTL. It is found that a dipole layer is produced between the CdTe NC thin film and the back contact electrode; thus the built-in electric field (Vbi) is reinforced, allowing more efficient carrier separation. By introducing the PTAA HTL in the device, the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density and the fill factor are simultaneously improved, leading to a high PCE of 6.95%, which is increased by 30% compared to that of the control device without HTL (5.3%). This work suggests that the widely used PTAA is preferred as the excellent HTL for achieving highly efficient CdTe NC solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Qichuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Kaiying Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Donghuan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Wei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Dan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Lintao Hou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Vacuum Coating Technologies and New Energy Materials, Siyuan Laboratory, Department of Physics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Study on the Aqueous CdTe Quantum Dots Solar Device Deposited by Blade Coating on Magnesium Zinc Oxide Window Layer. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12091523. [PMID: 35564232 PMCID: PMC9099490 DOI: 10.3390/nano12091523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Aqueous CdTe quantum dots solar cells have been successfully fabricated by the blade coating method on the magnesium zinc oxide (Zn1−xMgxO or ZMO) window layer. Compared with the ZMO mono-window layer, the ZMO/CdS bi-window layer can decrease the interface recombination effectively due to the lower lattice mismatch and fast interdiffusion between CdS and CdTe. Moreover, the high temperature annealing of the CdTe quantum dots absorbed layer passivates the grain boundary of the CdTe crystalline via the replacement reaction of tellurium with sulfur. Finally, the conversion efficiency of our aqueous CdTe quantum dots solar device is improved from 3.21% to 8.06% with the introduction of the CdS interlayer and high temperature CdCl2 annealing. Our aqueous CdTe quantum dots solar devices show a large open circuit voltage and fill factor which are comparable with the conventional devices that are fabricated with organic CdTe quantum dots. We believe that it is the spike-like conduction band alignment between the ZMO and CdTe absorbed layer that reduces the majority carrier concentration, leading to the decrease in interface recombination probability.
Collapse
|
4
|
Chang Q, Sui J, Chai Z, Wu W. Temperature-Dependent Excitonic Photoluminescence and Nonlinear Absorption of CdTe Nanocrystal/Polyvinyl Alcohol Films. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11071761. [PMID: 34361146 PMCID: PMC8308138 DOI: 10.3390/nano11071761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The temperature dependence of the excitonic photoluminescence (PL) and nonlinear absorption characteristics of CdTe nanocrystals (NCs)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film are investigated using steady-state/time-resolved PL spectroscopy and Z-scan methods. The excitonic PL peaks of CdTe NCs can be observed at the wavelengths from 560 to 670 nm, with size changes from 2.1 to 3.9 nm. From the temperature-dependent PL spectra, the smaller photon energy of the PL emission peak, the rapidly decreasing PL intensity, and the wider linewidth are observed with increasing temperature from 80 to 300 K. It is revealed that the excitonic PL is composed of both trapped state and band-edge excitonic state, which presents biexponential fitting dynamics. The short-lived species is due to the surface-trapped state recombination in NCs, which has a photogenerated trapped channel and a time-resolved peak shift. The species with a long-lived lifetime is ascribed to the intrinsic excitonic recombination. Through the femtosecond Z-scan method, the nonlinear absorption coefficient becomes smaller with the increase in the size of the NCs. The optical properties of the CdTe NC/PVA film show the potential of II-VI traditional NCs as display and luminescent materials that can utilize the combination of excitonic PL and nonlinear absorption for expanded functionality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Chang
- College of Media Engineering, Communication University of Zhejiang, Hangzhou 310018, China;
| | - Jingrong Sui
- School of Electronic Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China; (J.S.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zhijun Chai
- School of Electronic Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China; (J.S.); (Z.C.)
| | - Wenzhi Wu
- School of Electronic Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China; (J.S.); (Z.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-045-186-604-401
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xiao K, Huang Q, Luo J, Tang H, Xu A, Wang P, Ren H, Qin D, Xu W, Wang D. Efficient Nanocrystal Photovoltaics via Blade Coating Active Layer. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11061522. [PMID: 34207563 PMCID: PMC8226763 DOI: 10.3390/nano11061522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CdTe semiconductor nanocrystal (NC) solar cells have attracted much attention in recent year due to their low-cost solution fabrication process. However, there are still few reports about the fabrication of large area NC solar cells under ambient conditions. Aiming to push CdTe NC solar cells one step forward to the industry, this study used a novel blade coating technique to fabricate CdTe NC solar cells with different areas (0.16, 0.3, 0.5 cm2) under ambient conditions. By optimizing the deposition parameters of the CdTe NC's active layer, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of NC solar cells showed a large improvement. Compared to the conventional spin-coated device, a lower post-treatment temperature is required by blade coated NC solar cells. Under the optimal deposition conditions, the NC solar cells with 0.16, 0.3, and 0.5 cm2 areas exhibited PCEs of 3.58, 2.82, and 1.93%, respectively. More importantly, the NC solar cells fabricated via the blading technique showed high stability where almost no efficiency degradation appeared after keeping the devices under ambient conditions for over 18 days. This is promising for low-cost, roll-by-roll, and large area industrial fabrication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kening Xiao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
| | - Qichuan Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
| | - Jia Luo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
| | - Huansong Tang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
| | - Ao Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
| | - Pu Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
| | - Hao Ren
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
| | - Donghuan Qin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Correspondence: (D.Q.); (W.X.); (D.W.)
| | - Wei Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Correspondence: (D.Q.); (W.X.); (D.W.)
| | - Dan Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (K.X.); (Q.H.); (J.L.); (H.T.); (A.X.); (P.W.); (H.R.)
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials & Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Correspondence: (D.Q.); (W.X.); (D.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Thakur VK. Innovative Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Beyond: Synthesis, Characterisation and Applications. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10091817. [PMID: 32932991 PMCID: PMC7559524 DOI: 10.3390/nano10091817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar Thakur
- Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Center, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Shiv Nadar University, Uttar Pradesh 201314, India
| |
Collapse
|