Moritz Riede

Abstract:

Monolithic perovskite–organic tandem solar cells (POTSCs) have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their compatible fabrication routes and advances in single-cell efficiencies. To further boost the performance of POTSCs, reducing the voltage losses that mainly arise from wide bandgap (WBG, >1.7 eV) perovskite subcells and interconnecting layers (ICLs) is critical. Here, a new ICL with a configuration of C60/YbO x /Au/MoO x is demonstrated for constructing the monolithic POTSC. The YbO x -based ICL benefits from an ohmic contact and high transparency, resulting in improved POSTC performance. The champion device presents a PCE of 23.2% owing to a high V OC of 2.11 V (approximately equal to the sum of individual V OC’s of the subcells) without compromising the short-circuit current density and fill factors. This work opens an avenue for developing efficient ICLs in POTSCs.

Abstract:

Transparent conductive films are key components of many optoelectronic devices but are often made from either scarce or brittle materials like indium tin oxide. Carbon nanotube-polymer films offer an abundant and flexible alternative. Here, we report how the dimensions of the carbon nanotube raw material affect their thin film performance and thickness yield when processed with the polymer ethylene-vinyl acetate. We perform chemical doping with several halogenated metals and find the electron affinity of the metal to be a good indicator of p-doping effectiveness. We identify CuCl2 as low-cost alternative to the established gold chloride dopants. Optimising the dopant deposition method allows us to reduce the effect of doping on the optical transmittance. Percolation analysis of our films demonstrates that optimized single-walled carbon nanotube-ethylene-vinyl acetate films show no sign of percolation effects down to thicknesses of 5 nm. Finally, we produce transparent touch-sensitive devices. Comparing several of these devices, we find a linear relationship between the sheet resistance and the on/off ratio of the touch sensing that can be used to determine a threshold film thickness. Using doped carbon nanotube-ethylene-vinyl acetate films increases the on/off ratio and allows us to fabricate touch-sensitive devices with an on/off ratio of 10 at 95% optical transmittance. This clearly demonstrates the potential of these films for transparent touch-sensitive applications.

Abstract:

The interconversion dynamics between charge transfer state charges (CTCs) and separated charges (SCs) is still an unresolved issue in the field of organic photovoltaics. Here, a transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) study of a thermally evaporated small-molecule:fullerene system (α6T:C60) in different morphologies (dilute intermixed and phase separated) is presented. Spectral decomposition reveals two charge species with distinct absorption characteristics and different dynamics. Using time-dependent density functional theory, these species are identified as CTCs and SCs, where the spectral differences arise from broken symmetry in the charge transfer state that turns forbidden transitions into allowed ones. Based on this assignment, a kinetic model is formulated allowing the characterization of the charge generation, separation, and recombination mechanisms. We find that SCs are either formed directly from excitons within a few picoseconds or more slowly (~30–80 ps) from reversible splitting of CTCs. These findings constitute the first unambiguous observation of spectrally resolved CTCs and SCs.

Abstract:

<jats:p>Substrate heating during co-evaporation of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells aids phase separation and improves performance. While recombination remains unaffected, hole transport improves due to more crystalline donor domains.</jats:p>

Abstract:

Photovoltaics (PVs) are a critical technology for curbing growing levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and meeting increases in future demand for low-carbon electricity. In order to fulfill ambitions for net-zero carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions worldwide, the global cumulative capacity of solar PVs must increase by an order of magnitude from 0.9 TWp in 2021 to 8.5 TWp by 2050 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, which is considered to be a highly conservative estimate. In 2020, the Henry Royce Institute brought together the UK PV community to discuss the critical technological and infrastructure challenges that need to be overcome to address the vast challenges in accelerating PV deployment. Herein, we examine the key developments in the global community, especially the progress made in the field since this earlier roadmap, bringing together experts primarily from the UK across the breadth of the PVs community. The focus is both on the challenges in improving the efficiency, stability and levelized cost of electricity of current technologies for utility-scale PVs, as well as the fundamental questions in novel technologies that can have a significant impact on emerging markets, such as indoor PVs, space PVs, and agrivoltaics. We discuss challenges in advanced metrology and computational tools, as well as the growing synergies between PVs and solar fuels, and offer a perspective on the environmental sustainability of the PV industry. Through this roadmap, we emphasize promising pathways forward in both the short- and long-term, and for communities working on technologies across a range of maturity levels to learn from each other.