Perovskites: innovation in the world of photovoltaic
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are the fastest-growing photovoltaic (PV) technology. Due to their low-cost fabrication and excellent efficiency, they are the rising stars of the world photovoltaics industry. Perovskites were first successfully used in semiconductor solar cells in 2012. What is perovskite structure and perovskite solar cell and what makes them so important for the market? Let’s find out.
What is perovskite?
Technically, perovskite is a calcium titanium oxide mineral composed of calcium, titanium and oxygen (chemical formula CaTiO3). It was first found in the Ural Mountains and is named after Lev Perovsky, the founder of the Russian Geographical Society.
But “perovskite” term also applies to the class of compounds which have the same type of crystal structure as CaTiO3, known also as the perovskite structure.
The structure of perovskite is anything that has the general form of ABX3,i where A is usually a metal cation from the lithium or beryllium group (less often any of the transition metals), B is a cation with a coordination number of 6 (most often titanium, niobium, tantalum, manganese), and X is usually an oxide anion O2-, less often a halide or sulphide anion.
Broad properties followed by diverse applications
The properties of perovskites can vary widely depending on the specific atoms or molecules that make up their structure. These properties include superconductivity, giant magnetoresistance, spin-dependent transport (spintronics), and catalytic behaviorii. As a result, perovskites provide an exciting area of exploration for physicists, chemists, and materials scientists.
The broad properties of perovskites are followed by a variety of applications. Synthetic perovskites show high promise in many key areas:
- Photovoltaics (Solar Cells): Perovskite solar cells have rapidly achieved power conversion efficiencies surpassing 25%, rivaling traditional silicon. Their potential low-cost and flexibility offers great potential;
- Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs): Perovskites can emit different colors of light depending on composition, making them attractive for energy efficient displays and light sources.
- Optoelectronics: Potential use in lasers, transistors, and photodetectors.
- Catalysis: Perovskites are explored as catalysts for chemical reactions.
What is a perovskite cell?
The push to speed up the transition to renewable energy is gaining momentum, with perovskite solar cells (PSCs) standing out on this field. In simple words, a perovksite solar cell works by converting sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
A perovskite solar cell (PSC) is a type of solar cell that includes a perovskite-structured compound, most commonly a hybrid organic–inorganic lead or tin halide-based material as the light-harvesting active layer.iii
Although obstacles such as manufacturing constraints, material sourcing challenges, and the need for substantial investments, PSCs present a promising alternative. Perovskite materials are relatively simple to produce, because this perovskite-based material can be printed on at low temperatures, creating thinner and lighter solar modules.
Their properties such as broad absorption spectrum, fast charge separation, long electron and hole transport distances, long carrier separation lifetimes and the ability to achieve high efficiency, low production costs, and scalability has the potential to revolutionize the solar energy sector.
Differences between n-i-p and p-i-n PSCs and the challenges associated with them
Perovskite Solar Cells can be classified into two types based on the sequence of charge transport layers: the conventional negative-intrinsic-positive (n-i-p) structure and the inverted positive-intrinsic-negative (p-i-n) structure. In these designs, the light-harvesting perovskite layer is positioned between an electron transport layer (ETL) and a hole transport layer (HTL), or vice versa, with an HTL and an ETL, respectively.
PSCs outperform n-i-p type devices from the aspects of moderate temperature fabrication, remarkably long operating lifetime and good compatibility with flexible substrates for portable electronics and other types of solar cells (e.g., Si, etc.) for multi-junction devicesiv. However recently, great progress has been achieved in the p-i-n type PSCs, and efficiencies exceeding 25 % have been reported from different research groups.v
Perovskite materials offered by Noctiluca
Noctiluca offers a wide range of high-quality perovskite materials designed to advance modern technologies, including renewable energy and electronics. Our portfolio includes
1. PO-T2T
This compaund can be used as a hole blocking layer (HBL) material at a multiplier perovskite-organic composite photodetector, organic semiconductor or ow-molecular host in radiation-emitting perovskite. Its is also anantisolvent in the method of perovskite production is related to good solubility.
Why is it a must-have for these applications?
- It improves device lifetime and efficiency.
- The conductivity of PO-T2T doped ETLs was higher than the ZnO-based device, and the conductivity was increased with the increased dopant.
- It has an excellent thermal stability (460°C).
- It has an excellent solubility in toluene, ethanol which helps in the formation of high-quality films.
- PO-T2T exhibits good environmental and operational stability.
- Compared to ZnMgO, the PO-T2T exhibits shallower CBM (conduction band minimum), modest electron mobility, and lower defect density.
- Learn more about PO-T2T.
2. Spiro-OMeTAD
Spiro-OMeTAD is renowned for its high hole mobility, a critical factor in enhancing the performance of hole transport layers (HTL) in solar cells. Its robust thermal stability ensures consistent performance under varying temperature conditions. Additionally, it exhibits excellent charge transport properties. The the spiro-linked molecule structure contributes to a high glass transition temperature (Tg), morphological stability, and easy processability, all while maintaining good electronic properties.
3. PDINO
PDINOis an exemplary electron transport layer (ETL) material in organic photovoltaic devices and OLEDs. Perylene-based compounds are known for their unique electronic and optical properties. They are often used to develop organic semiconductors, dyes, and pigments. Additionally, its electron-deficient nature makes it a preferred choice for cathode interlayer materials. It is compatible with various organic photovoltaic materials and allows for a wide range of interlayer thicknesses, resulting in high-performance photovoltaic devices.
3. TAPC
TAPC is known for its impressive hole mobility. Its chemical formula, highlights its complex structure, making it a material for various applications. TAPC has been widely used as hole injection layers (HIL), hole transport layers (HTL), and electron-blocking layers (EBL). Its planar structure and electron-blocking properties further enhance OLED displays’ overall efficiency and lifespan. Additionally, TAPC offers superior electronic stability, making it a highly reliable material for advanced optoelectronic applications
Additionally, we offer a range of other inorganic compounds to meet diverse application needs. We are also working on a further full suite of proprietary materials in the field of Perovskite organic photovoltaics – our research includes materials dedicated to SAM (Self-asembing monolayers) and dedicated EIL solutions. Stay tuned for updates.
For more details, please visit our perovskite materials section on the website.