Dr Alexandra Ramadan [she/her]

Abstract:

Impressive power conversion efficiencies coupled with the relative ease of fabrication have made perovskite solar cells a front runner for next-generation photovoltaics. Although perovskite films and optoelectronic devices have been widely studied, relatively little is known about the chemistry of the precursor solutions. Here, we present a study on the hydrolysis of N,N-dimethylformamide, correlating how pH changes related to its degradation affect the crystallization of MAPbI3xClx perovskite films. By careful manipulation of the pH, and the resulting colloid distribution in precursor solutions, we fabricate perovskite films with greatly improved crystallinity, which when incorporated into photovoltaic devices reproducibly yield efficiencies of over 18%. Extending this method to the mixed cation, mixed halide perovskite FA0.83MA0.17Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3, we obtain power conversion efficiencies of up to 19.9% and open-circuit voltages of 1.21 V for a material with a bandgap of 1.57 eV, achieving the lowest yet reported loss in potential from bandgap to a VOC of only 360 mV.

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:

Lead halide perovskites are materials with excellent optoelectronic and photovoltaic properties. However, some hurdles remain prior to commercialization of these materials, such as chemical stability, phase stability, sensitivity to moisture, and potential issues due to the toxicity of lead. Here, we report a new type of lead-free perovskite related compound, Cs2PdBr6. This compound is solution processable, exhibits long-lived photoluminescence, and an optical band gap of 1.6 eV. Density functional theory calculations indicate that this compound has dispersive electronic bands, with electron and hole effective masses of 0.53 and 0.85 me, respectively. In addition, Cs2PdBr6 is resistant to water, in contrast to lead-halide perovskites, indicating excellent prospects for long-term stability. These combined properties demonstrate that Cs2PdBr6 is a promising novel compound for optoelectronic applications.