Relationship between the Annealing Temperature and the Presence of PbI2 Platelets at the Surfaces of Slot-Die-Coated Triple-Halide Perovskite Thin Films

We investigated triple-halide perovskite (THP) absorber layers with 5 mol % MAPbCl3 added to the double-halide perovskite (Cs0.22FA0.78)Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3. As a deposition method, a highly scalable printing technique, slot-die coating, with a subsequent annealing step was used. We found a strong power conversion efficiency (PCE) dependence of the corresponding solar cells on the annealing temperature. The device performance deteriorated when increasing the annealing temperature from 125 to 170 °C, mainly via losses in the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and in the fill factor (FF). To understand the mechanisms behind this performance loss, extensive characterizations were performed on both, the THP thin films and the completed solar-cell stacks, as a function of annealing temperature. Correlative scanning electron microscopy analyses, i.e., electron backscatter diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and cathodoluminescence, in addition to X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence, confirmed the presence of PbI2 platelets on the surface of the THP thin films. Moreover, the area fraction of the PbI2 platelets on the film surface increased with increasing annealing temperature. The deteriorated device performance when the annealing temperature is increased from 125 to 170 °C is explained by the increased series resistance and increased interface recombination caused by the PbI2 platelets, leading to decreased Voc and FF values of the solar-cell devices. Thus, the correlative analyses provided insight into microscopic origins of the efficiency losses.

Role of Terminal Group Position in Triphenylamine-Based Self-Assembled Hole-Selective Molecules in Perovskite Solar Cells

The application of self-assembled molecules (SAMs) as a charge selective layer in perovskite solar cells has gained tremendous attention. As a result, highly efficient and stable devices have been released with stand-alone SAMs binding ITO substrates. However, further structural understanding of the effect of SAM in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is required. Herein, three triphenylamine-based molecules with differently positioned methoxy substituents have been synthesized that can self-assemble onto the metal oxide layers that selectively extract holes. They have been effectively employed in p-i-n PSCs with a power conversion efficiency of up to 20%. We found that the perovskite deposited onto SAMs made by para- and ortho-substituted hole selective contacts provides large grain thin film formation increasing the power conversion efficiencies. Density functional theory predicts that para- and ortho-substituted position SAMs might form a well-ordered structure by improving the SAM's arrangement and in consequence enhancing its stability on the metal oxide surface. We believe this result will be a benchmark for the design of further SAMs.

Lights and Shadows of DMSO as Solvent for Tin Halide Perovskites

In 2020 dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the ever‐present solvent for tin halide perovskites, was identified as an oxidant for Sn^II. Nonetheless, alternatives are lacking and few efforts have been devoted to replacing it. To understand this trend it is indispensable to learn the importance of DMSO on the development of tin halide perovskites. Its unique properties have allowed processing compact thin‐films to be integrated into tin perovskite solar cells. Creative approaches for controlling the perovskite crystallization or increasing its stability to oxidation have been developed relying on DMSO‐based inks. However, increasingly sophisticated strategies appear to lead the field to a plateau of power conversion efficiency in the range of 10–15 %. And, while DMSO‐based formulations have performed in encouraging means so far, we should also start considering their potential limitations. In this concept article, we discuss the benefits and limitations of DMSO‐based tin perovskite processing.