Prof Henry Snaith FRS

Abstract:

Organometal trihalide perovskite based solar cells have exhibited the highest efficiencies to-date when incorporated into mesostructured composites. However, thin solid films of a perovskite absorber should be capable of operating at the highest efficiency in a simple planar heterojunction configuration. Here, it is shown that film morphology is a critical issue in planar heterojunction CHNHPbICl solar cells. The morphology is carefully controlled by varying processing conditions, and it is demonstrated that the highest photocurrents are attainable only with the highest perovskite surface coverages. With optimized solution based film formation, power conversion efficiencies of up to 11.4% are achieved, the first report of efficiencies above 10% in fully thin-film solution processed perovskite solar cells with no mesoporous layer. The critical role of perovskite morphology in planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells is probed and understood. Dewetting of perovskite films is minimized, to achieve uniform 100% coverage perovskite layers. Solution cast planar heterojunction solar cells with efficiencies of up to 11.4% are fabricated, a new record for such cells with no mesoporous layer. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Abstract:

The power conversion efficiency of hybrid solid-state solar cells has more than doubled from 7 to 15% over the past year. This is largely as a result of the incorporation of organometallic trihalide perovskite absorbers into these devices. But, as promising as this development is, long-term operational stability is just as important as initial conversion efficiency when it comes to the development of practical solid-state solar cells. Here we identify a critical instability in mesoporous TiO₂-sensitized solar cells arising from light-induced desorption of surface-adsorbed oxygen. We show that this instability does not arise in mesoporous TiO₂-free mesosuperstructured solar cells. Moreover, our TiO₂-free cells deliver stable photocurrent for over 1,000 h continuous exposure and operation under full spectrum simulated sunlight.

Abstract:

A simple strategy is presented to determine the pore-filling fraction of the hole-conductor 2,2-7,7-tetrakis-N,N-di-pmethoxyphenylamine-9,9- spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) into mesoporous photoanodes in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ss-DSCs). Based on refractive index determination by the film's reflectance spectra and using effective medium approximations the volume fractions of the constituent materials can be extracted, hence the pore-filling fraction quantified. This non-destructive method can be used with complete films and does not require detailed model assumptions. Pore-filling fractions of up to 80% are estimated for optimized solid-state DSC photoanodes, which is higher than that previously estimated by indirect methods. Additionally, transport and recombination lifetimes as a function of the pore-filling fraction are determined using photovoltage and photocurrent decay measurements. While extended electron lifetimes are observed with increasing pore-filling fractions, no trend is found in the transport kinetics. The data suggest that a pore-filling fraction of greater than 60% is necessary to achieve optimized performance in ss-DSCs. This degree of pore-filling is even achieved in 5 μm thick mesoporous photoanodes. It is concluded that pore-filling is not a limiting factor in the fabrication of "thick" ss-DSCs with spiro-OMeTAD as the hole-conductor. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Abstract:

Device optimization and ultrafast absorption spectroscopic investigations on the role of semiconducting polymer as hole-transport layer in solid-state dye sensitized solar cells suggest their dual role of dye-regeneration and light-antenna assisting in improved photoconversionefficiencies.© 2012 OSA.