Prof Henry Snaith FRS

Abstract:

Cesium lead triiodide (CsPbI3) is an attractive material for photovoltaic applications due to its appropriate band gap, strong optical absorption, and high thermal stability. However, the perovskite phase suffers from moisture induced structural instability. Previous studies have utilized a range of solvent systems to establish the role of solvent choice in structural instabilities. Despite this, effects of different solvents on the electronic structure of this material have not been compared. We report substantial chemical and compositional differences in thin films of CsPbI3 prepared from a range of solvent systems. We confirm via X-ray diffraction thin films formed from DMF, DMSO, and a mixture of these solvent systems share the same crystal structure. However, secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and low energy ion scattering measurements reveal significant differences between films processed via different solvent systems. Our findings reveal the critical impact solvents have upon compositional stoichiometry and thin-film morphology.

Abstract:

© 2017 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved. Perovskite solar cells are remarkably efficient; however, they are prone to degradation in water, oxygen and ultraviolet light. Cation engineering in 3D perovskite absorbers has led to reduced degradation. Alternatively, 2D Ruddlesden-Popper layered perovskites exhibit improved stability, but have not delivered efficient solar cells so far. Here, we introduce n-butylammonium cations into a mixed-cation lead mixed-halide FA 0.83 Cs 0.17 Pb(I y Br 1-y ) 3 3D perovskite. We observe the formation of 2D perovskite platelets, interspersed between highly orientated 3D perovskite grains, which suppress non-radiative charge recombination. We investigate the relationship between thin-film composition, crystal alignment and device performance. Solar cells with an optimal butylammonium content exhibit average stabilized power conversion efficiency of 17.5 ± 1.3% with a 1.61-eV-bandgap perovskite and 15.8 ± 0.8% with a 1.72-eV-bandgap perovskite. The stability under simulated sunlight is also enhanced. Cells sustain 80% of their post burn-in' efficiency after 1,000 h in air, and close to 4,000 h when encapsulated.

Abstract:

The meteoric rise of the field of perovskite solar cells has been fueled by the ease with which a wide range of high-quality materials can be fabricated via simple solution processing methods. However, to date, little effort has been devoted to understanding the precursor solutions, and the role of additives such as hydrohalic acids upon film crystallization and final optoelectronic quality. Here, a direct link between the colloids concentration present in the [HC(NH2 )2 ]0.83 Cs0.17 Pb(Br0.2 I0.8 )3 precursor solution and the nucleation and growth stages of the thin film formation is established. Using dynamic light scattering analysis, the dissolution of colloids over a time span triggered by the addition of hydrohalic acids is monitored. These colloids appear to provide nucleation sites for the perovskite crystallization, which critically impacts morphology, crystal quality, and optoelectronic properties. Via 2D X-ray diffraction, highly ordered and textured crystals for films prepared from solutions with lower colloidal concentrations are observed. This increase in material quality allows for a reduction in microstrain along with a twofold increase in charge-carrier mobilities leading to values exceeding 20 cm2 V-1 s-1 . Using a solution with an optimized colloidal concentration, devices that reach current-voltage measured power conversion efficiency of 18.8% and stabilized efficiency of 17.9% are fabricated.

Abstract:

Metal halide perovskites such as methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) are highly promising materials for photovoltaics. However, the relationship between the organic nature of the cation and the optoelectronic quality remains debated. In this work, we investigate the optoelectronic properties of fully inorganic vapour-deposited and spin-coated black-phase CsPbI3 thin films. Using the time-resolved microwave conductivity technique, we measure charge carrier mobilities up to 25 cm2/(V s) and impressively long charge carrier lifetimes exceeding 10 μs for vapour-deposited CsPbI3, while the carrier lifetime reaches less than 0.2 μs in the spin-coated samples. Finally, we show that these improved lifetimes result in enhanced device performance with power conversion efficiencies close to 9%. Altogether, these results suggest that the charge carrier mobility and recombination lifetime are mainly dictated by the inorganic framework rather than the organic nature of the cation.