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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Advanced Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules

The “Advanced perovskite Cells and Modules” research project was the final agreement focused on enhancing perovskite solar cell (PSC) technologies funded by the US Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office. The project was designed to address three crucial areas in PSC development: stability, manufacturability, and efficiency. The project was then structured around three main tasks, each targeting one of these strategic goals. The team of experienced researchers in these materials worked collaboratively to address the targets outlined in the technical work plan. building on existing PSC research while also exploring promising new concepts arising in the field. An overview of each primary task is summarized below: Task 1 Stability: This first task, aims to identify material characteristics and metrics that can help predict the primary degradation mechanisms impacting PSC stability. This involved developing specific device tests based on hypotheses regarding mechanisms impacting stability, including fast failure procedures to speed up PSC development and improvement. Various strategies to enhance stability, like incorporating additives, post-treatments, novel contact materials etc. were developed using this fast feedback approach. The relationships between indoor and outdoor stresses were also validated. Task 2 Manufacturability: This second task, focused on creating a scalable production process for PSCs. Initially the objective is to establish a best-known method for a 182 cm2 minimodule. However, given resource limitations, these metrics were modified to focus on the other goal of outlined in the TWP. Specifically, this task worked to demonstrate the transferability of this best-known method to another research institution. Work scope in this area was expanded to material purity and understanding of reagent/process relationships. Examination of other difficulties in PSC production and potential solutions for large-scale production were also evaluated. Given challenges observed in process transfer, work to develop data infrastructure and recording tools for processing of material and devices was then also prioritized in this task. Task 3 Efficiency: This task was focused on improvements to PCE, while still considering Task 1 and Task 2 goal. The efforts targeted a PCE greater than 22% with a T95 exceeding 1000 hours at 25°C in a nitrogen environment for lab-scale devices (approximately 0.1 cm2 devices) across a range of solar-relevant perovskite compositions, including wide-gap (around 1.7 eV) and low-gap (around 1.3 eV) materials, using standard metal contacts. This work then provides a foundation for MHP-based tandem efforts undertaken in other projects and the All-MHP tandem efforts outlined in this projects TWP. Work in this project emphasized disseminating its findings through peer-reviewed publications (PRP), conference presentations, and industrial collaborations. Significant products were produced in all these areas, over 53 peer reviewed publications, 32 conference presentations and industrial investment based on NLR assistance on precompetitive challenges. The team also developed significant intellectual property and awards for their technical excellence, innovations and leadership. The team also leveraged traditional and social media platforms to engage with stakeholders and the public.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

High-efficiency perovskite photovoltaic modules achieved via cesium doping

Perovskite solar modules have been attracting increasing attention due to their market potential, yet publications concerned with theintrinsic scale-up potential of different perovskite compositions remain relatively scarce. On the other hand, while great success is being made towards improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by cesium cation (Cs + ) doping of the perovskite, more attention is being paid to the perovskite phase stabilization effect of Cs + doping, and less to other properties that are critical to understand and futher improve the PSC's. In this work, moderately-Cs-doped MAPbI 3 was employed as a model perovskite material in order to exclude the phase stabilization effect. Our systematic study revealed the influence of Cs + in organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites on the crystal structure, crystallization process, trap state density, band structure and charge (i.e., ions or photo-carriers) transport. Markedly, it has been observed that Cs + doping can greatly increase the carrier diffusion length in the perovskite films, thus improving the potential to scale-up PSC's.The PCE of small area devices (0.09 cm 2 ) was increased to 21.72% from 19.73%, with decreased hysteresis behavior and increased operational stability (T85 = 1000 h) after Cs + doped, where T85 refers to the retention of 85% of the initial PCE. Moreover, a PCE of 21.08% was obtained for a Cs + -containing perovskite module with an active area > 30 cm 2 , which demonstrates a better "reproducibility" than the reference sample (MAPbI3-based perovskite modules, PCE = 18.26%).

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

From Defects to Degradation: A Mechanistic Understanding of Degradation in Perovskite Solar Cell Devices and Modules

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have risen in efficiency from just 3.81% in 2009 to over 25.2% today. While metal halide perovskites have excelled in efficiency, advances in stability are significantly more complex and have progressed more slowly. The advance of efficiency, which is readily measured, over stability, which can require literally thousands of hours to demonstrate, is to be expected given the rapid rate of innovation in the field. In the face of changing absorber composition, synthetic approaches, and device stack components it is necessary to understand basic material properties to rationalize how to enable stability in devices. In this article the aim is to present an in-depth review of the current understanding of metal halide perovskite devices and module stability by focusing on what is known retarding intrinsic and extrinsic degradation mechanisms at the material, device, and module level. Once these considerations are presented the discussion then moves to connecting different degradation mechanisms to stresses anticipated in operation and how they can impact efficiency of cells and ultimately modules over time.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Perovskite Photovoltaic Devices with Carbon-Based Electrodes Withstanding Reverse-Bias Voltages up to –9 V and Surpassing IEC 61215:2016 International Standard

One of the key challenges of perovskite photovoltaics (PV) is the long-term stability. Although efforts are made to improve the lifetime of perovskite PV devices, their degradation under reverse-bias conditions is barely addressed. Herein, perovskite solar cells with carbon-based electrodes are presented which demonstrate superior resilience against reverse-bias-induced degradation. Although their breakdown voltage is identified to be at approximately -3.6 V, cells do not degrade until the applied reverse-bias exceeds -9 V. Two main degradation mechanisms are identified: 1) iodine loss due to hole tunneling into perovskite, which takes place even at low reverse-bias but decomposes the perovskite only after long time durations; and 2) rapid heating at large reverse-bias leading to formation of PbI2, which starts at shunts and then follows the path of the least resistance for the cell current, which is primarily influenced by the electrode sheet resistances. Finally, perovskite solar modules with carbon-based electrodes are demonstrated, which are subjected to a "hotspot" test described in the IEC 61215:2016 international standard at an accredited module testing laboratory. Passing this accelerated test for the first time confirms the superior stability of perovskite PV devices with carbon-based electrodes and highlights their large industrialization potential.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Nanoscale Amorphization of Poly(Triarylamine) for Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Photovoltaics

Perovskite solar modules require hole-selective layers that combine efficient charge extraction, interfacial uniformity and scalable processing. Poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) is widely used in high-performance inverted perovskite photovoltaics, but its nanoscale crystallization and aggregation on indium tin oxide can disrupt film continuity, increase interfacial recombination and limit module stability. Here we show that 4-fluorobenzylphosphonic acid (4FBPA) modifies the surface of indium tin oxide to induce nanoscale amorphization of PTAA, forming a uniform sub-10-nm hole-selective layer. The molecule binds to indium tin oxide through a dehydration reaction, tunes the work function and surface free energy of the photoanode, and improves energy-level alignment with PTAA. The resulting amorphous PTAA film shows enhanced conductivity and hole extraction, suppresses non-radiative recombination at the buried interface and promotes more uniform perovskite growth. Inverted perovskite solar cells reach a power conversion efficiency of 26.63%, while blade-coated modules achieve a certified quasi-steady-state efficiency of 23.01%. The modules retain 95.9% of their initial efficiency after 2,600 hours of maximum-power-point operation under 1-sun illumination at 65 +- 5 degrees C in nitrogen. These results identify nanoscale amorphization of polymeric hole-selective layers as a route to efficient and stable inverted perovskite photovoltaics.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Engineering Perovskite Precursor Inks for Scalable Production of High‐Efficiency Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules

Abstract Blade coating of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and modules has progressed considerably toward the industrial production of perovskite photovoltaics. Developing stable perovskite precursors is critical for achieving uniform coating over large areas. Here, the engineering of a perovskite precursor solution consisting of 2‐methoxyethanol (2‐Me) and 1,3‐dimethyl‐imidazolidinone (DMI) with superior intermediate phase stability that enables scalable production of efficient perovskite solar modules is reported. With this perovskite precursor solution, uniform and pinhole‐less perovskite film is deposited over a large area of > 100 cm 2 and higher‐efficiency PSCs and modules are obtained. The best‐performing unit cell and module with n‐i‐p configuration reach power conversion efficiencies of 23.4% and 20.1%, respectively. Additionally, a series of non‐destructive metrology methods, such as spectroscopic ellipsometry, hyperspectral photoluminescence, electroluminescence, and laser beam‐induced current mapping, are employed to assess and guide the development the blade‐coated perovskite modules. This results show that rational engineering of precursor inks for blade coating is promising for the scalable production of efficient perovskite solar modules.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Advances in SnO 2 for Efficient and Stable n-i-p Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on the regular n-i-p device architecture have reached above 25% certified efficiency with continuously reported improvements in recent years. A key common factor for these recent breakthroughs is the development of SnO 2 as an effective electron transport layer in these devices. In this review, we discuss the key advances in SnO 2 development, including various deposition approaches and surface treatment strategies, to enhance the bulk and interface properties of SnO 2 for highly efficient and stable n-i-p PSCs. We also discuss the general materials chemistry associated with SnO 2 along with the corresponding materials challenges and improvement strategies, focusing on defects, intrinsic properties, and impact on device characteristics. Finally, we highlight some SnO2 implementations related to scalable processes and flexible devices, and we also provide our perspective on the future development of efficient and stable large-scale perovskite solar modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2022

What would it take to manufacture perovskite solar cells in space?

Imagine, astronauts land on the moon. They verify their arrival with mission control, and perform system checks and validations. After the dust settles, they open the airlock of the landing vehicle and venture outside. A side hatch opens, and a flexible substrate slowly unfurls on a boom. A series of printer heads raster, hovering over the substrate and sequentially vapor-depositing the constituent layers of a perovskite solar module (Figure 1). In time, a 1-megawatt array has been manufactured on the moon and can now be connected to supply power to the Artemis Base Camp. This ambitious vision could someday become a reality. On August 29, 2021, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a commercial resupply payload from Kennedy Space Center en route to the International Space Station (ISS). On board were perovskite solar cells that will fly for 6 months outside the ISS in low earth orbit (LEO) on the 15th Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-15). This will be the first long duration flight of perovskite solar cell devices in LEO and a major step toward realizing the in-space operation and, potentially, manufacture of perovskite solar cells.

Lyndsey McMillon-Brown↗
DOE OSTI2021

Photonic Curing of Nickel Oxide Transport Layer and Perovskite Active Layer for Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells: A Path Towards High-Throughput Manufacturing

High-throughput roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is currently limited by thermal processes that take tens of minutes each, translating to impractically long annealing tools at high web speeds. In addition, PSCs are usually made with metal oxide transport layer materials that require high temperatures for thermal annealing. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of PSCs using photonic curing, instead of thermal annealing, to convert NiO x directly from sol-gel precursors for hole transport layers and to crystallize methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI 3 ) active layers on flexible Willow ® Glass substrates. Photonic curing uses short, intense pulses of light to process materials at a high speed, hence it is compatible with R2R manufacturing. We achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 11.7% in forward-scan and 10.9% in reverse-scan for PSCs made with photonic cured NiO x and MAPbI 3 films. Furthermore, both NiO x and MAPbI 3 films could be processed with a single photonic curing pulse, with a web speed of 5.7 m/min, and still produce PCEs comparable to thermally annealed control samples. Based on the single-pulse photonic curing condition for each film, we project a web speed of 26 m/min, laying a pathway to high-throughput production of perovskite solar modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

What Would It Take to Manufacture Perovskite Solar Cells in Space?

Imagine: Astronauts land on the moon. They verify their arrival with mission control and perform system checks and validations. After the dust settles, they open the airlock of the landing vehicle and venture outside. A side hatch opens, and a flexible substrate slowly unfurls on a boom. A series of printer heads raster, hovering over the substrate and sequentially vapor-depositing the constituent layers of a perovskite solar module. In time, a 1-megawatt array has been manufactured on the moon and can now be connected to supply power to the Artemis Base Camp. This ambitious vision could someday become a reality.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multifunction Hydrophobic Ligand Engineered Cd(S, Se)/ZnS Quantum Dots for Stabilizing Highly Efficient Carbon‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells

The long-term operational stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) remains a key challenge impeding their commercialization, particularly due to ambient environments (e.g., moisture, oxygen, heat)-induced degradation. Carbon electrode-based PSCs have emerged as cost-effective and relatively stable alternatives to metal electrode-based devices due to carbon materials' hydrophobic behavior, yet they still lag in both long-term durability and power conversion efficiency (PCE). In this work, an ultrathin hydrophobic ligand-modified core–shell Cd(S,Se)/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) capping layer is introduced as a multifunctional interfacial modifier for carbon-electrode-based PSCs. This oleic acid ligand-modified QDs capping layer exhibits inherent hydrophobicity, effectively serving as a moisture barrier to retard perovskite degradation under ambient conditions. Furthermore, the strong interfacial bonding between the QDs and perovskite halide surfaces leads to efficient trap state passivation, reducing trap density and creating a more uniform electrical contact. The modified QDs/perovskite interface also features an elevated conduction band edge, promoting improved charge extraction. As a result, devices incorporating this quantum dot capping layer retain 98% of their initial PCE after 450 h of ambient aging and achieve a champion efficiency of 20.74%. As a result, this strategy highlights the potential of hydrophobic ligand-modified chalcogenide QDs as surface modifiers to enhance both the stability and performance of carbon-based PSCs, offering a promising route toward scalable fabrication of durable perovskite solar modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

The promise of metal-halide-perovskite solar photovoltaics: A brief review

Solar photovoltaics (PVs) based on metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) have taken the renewable-energy world by storm. The excitement stems from the promise of a high-efficiency, low-cost, and low “carbon-footprint” new PV technology. Here, a brief overview of the important topics pertaining to MHPs, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and perovskite solar modules (PSMs) is presented. The topics include: (1) PSC architectures, (2) MHPs, (3) synthesis and processing of MHP thin films, (4) MHP thin-film microstructures, (5) PSC functional layers, (6) interfacial engineering in PSCs, (7) PSC performance, (8) PSC stability, (9) PSMs, (10) lead toxicity, and (11) mechanical behavior and reliability. The significant challenges in the path toward commercialization of this burgeoning PV technology are also highlighted. Chief among them are scalability, stability, reliability, and safety, while achieving high efficiency, low cost, and low “carbon-footprint.” Furthermore, the promise of this new PV technology and the fascinating underlying science make it a worthwhile endeavor to address these challenges.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Photo-accelerated oxidation of spiro-OMeTAD for efficient carbon-based perovskite solar cells

Metal halide perovskite thin film solar cell (PSC) technology demonstrates promising power conversion efficiency and paves the way to commercialization. So far, the best device performance originates from the n-i-p structure with FTO/SnO 2 /perovskite/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au device architecture. Traditionally, to achieve high efficiency, several hours of oxidization of a Li-doped Spiro-OMeTAD hole transport layer (HTL) is necessary, which hinders the application of Spiro-OMeTAD for rapid large-scale manufacturing. In particular, the oxidization process significantly relies on ambient conditions, including oxygen and moisture levels. In this work, we report a fast technique to accomplish rapid oxidation in several mins of Spiro-OMeTAD HTL in perovskite solar cells by illuminating in visible light with one Sunlight intensity (100 mW cm −2 ). Compared to the traditional approach, our photo-accelerated oxidization of Spiro-OMeTAD approach can deliver a high-power conversion efficiency. We employ this photo-accelerated oxidization for the planar carbon-based perovskite solar cell and achieve a champion device efficiency of 17.47%. This strategy overcomes the barriers for a simple and rapid means toward mass manufacturing and industrial applications by utilizing Spiro-OMeTAD as the HTL for the perovskite solar module.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Destructive reverse bias pinning in perovskite/silicon tandem solar modules caused by perovskite hysteresis under dynamic shading

In this work, we demonstrate how perovskite hysteresis can result in permanent reductions in power output in perovskite/silicon tandem modules—including irreversible hotspot-induced damage—from only brief periods of shading. We show that reverse bias events in which a perovskite cell is biased above a threshold voltage—which in this work we find to be as low as –1.1 V—produces a temporary reduction in power output that is of sufficient magnitude to keep the cell pinned in reverse bias after the shading event ends. As a hysteretic phenomena, this crucial failure mode may be overlooked by static models of perovskite-based solar cells. Higher reverse bias voltages exacerbate the temporary reduction in short-circuit photocurrent, which is also sensitive to the level of illumination under reverse bias. Numerical device modelling demonstrates that this effect is consistent with our understanding of perovskite hysteresis as a consequence of mobile ion-electron coupling controlling rates of non-radiative recombination over time. Measurements of the dynamic response of single-junction perovskite cells are extrapolated to two-terminal and four-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem module modelling. We validate these models with measurements from an equivalent electronic circuit that represents a two-terminal perovskite–silicon tandem mini module. Two module-level solutions are discussed that address this issue, which includes increasing the number of bypass diodes and choosing better suited silicon bottom cells with higher shunter resistance in two-terminal tandem modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Open-Air Manufacturing of Efficient Large-Area Perovskite Solar Cells to Meet Stability and Cost Targets

This SETO-funded project (DE-EE0009516) developed a fully open-air manufacturing pathway for perovskite solar cells and modules, eliminating vacuum-based processing steps while improving device stability. Open-air ultrasonic spray deposition, solution combustion synthesis, rapid thermal processing, and atmospheric plasma curing were developed and optimized for all functional device layers — perovskite absorber, hole transport layers (HTLs), electron transport layers (ETLs), transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), and rear electrodes — without reliance on vacuum. Sprayed organic ETLs preserved perovskite crystal structure and enabled power conversion efficiencies exceeding 20%, and open-air processed TCOs and rear electrodes achieved optoelectronic performance comparable to sputtered alternatives at substantially lower manufacturing cost. Device stability was assessed through accelerated aging protocols aligned with IEC and ISOS standards, combined with high-throughput optical diagnostics that identified key degradation mechanisms and antagonistic interactions among heat, humidity, and illumination stressors. A comprehensive technoeconomic analysis quantified the cost and throughput advantages of open-air manufacturing over conventional vacuum-based processes, identifying vacuum deposition as the dominant cost driver and demonstrating a clear pathway toward the $0.02/kWh target. The project produced five peer-reviewed journal publications, eleven conference presentations, two patents/applications, and five Ph.D. dissertations.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗