Advanced Nanomaterials for Perovskite Solar Cells

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 12218

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
2. State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
Interests: fuel cells; batteries; solar energy storage and conversion; hydrogen energy; perovskite; environmental catalysis; electrocatalysis

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
Interests: perovskite solar cells; solid oxide cells; protonic ceramic cells; electrocatalysis; photocatalysis; dye-sensitized solar cells; water splitting; hydrogen energy
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Guest Editor
School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
Interests: perovskite solar cells; vapour deposition of perovskite materials; ultrafast spectroscopy of charge carriers in perovskites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, perovskite solar cells have attracted rapidly increasing attention, and have become promising candidates for new-generation solar cells due to several distinct advantages over other types of solar cells (high power-conversion efficiency, simple fabrication procedures, low cost, etc.). The research directions of perovskite solar cells mainly focus on the design, development and optimization of perovskite-based light absorbers, electron-transporting materials and hole-transporting materials, interface engineering, the design and optimization of the fabrication processes, new device configurations, etc. to boost the power conversion efficiencies and stability of perovskite solar cells. Additionally, lead-free and flexible perovskite solar cells are also emerging research directions.

We are pleased to invite you to submit your latest research outputs to our Special Issue of Nanomaterials titled 'Advanced Nanomaterials for Perovskite Solar Cells'.

This Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to cover the most recent studies about the application of nanomaterials in perovskite solar cells to promote the practical application of this technology. Both original research articles and reviews are welcome in this Special Issue. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: high-efficiency perovskite solar cells; optimization of cell architecture and fabrication techniques of perovskite solar cells; stability and degradation mechanisms of perovskite solar cells; the design of electron-transporting materials and hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells; carbon-based perovskite solar cells; lead-free perovskite solar cells; and all-inorganic perovskite solar cells.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Zongping Shao
Prof. Dr. Wei Wang
Prof. Dr. Mingzhen Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • perovskite solar cells
  • nanomaterials
  • power conversion efficiency
  • charge-transporting materials
  • stability
  • nanotechnology
  • optoelectronics properties

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 2321 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Large-Energy-Bandgap Methylammonium Lead Tribromide (MAPbBr3) Perovskite Solar Cells
by Mijoung Kim and Jungyup Yang
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071152 - 24 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1508
Abstract
We have investigated the effects of the methylammonium bromide (MABr) content of the precursor solution on the properties of wide-bandgap methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr3) perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In addition, the anti-solvent process for fabricating MAPbBr3 perovskite thin films was [...] Read more.
We have investigated the effects of the methylammonium bromide (MABr) content of the precursor solution on the properties of wide-bandgap methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr3) perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In addition, the anti-solvent process for fabricating MAPbBr3 perovskite thin films was optimized. The MAPbBr3 precursor was prepared by dissolving MABr and lead bromide (PbBr2) in N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethyl sulfoxide. Chlorobenzene (CB) was used as the anti-solvent. We found that both the morphology of the MAPbBr3 layer and the PSCs performance are significantly affected by the MABr content in perovskite precursor solution and anti-solvent dripping time. The best-performing device was obtained when the molar ratio of MABr:PbBr2 was 1:1 and the CB drip time was 10 s. The best device exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 7.58%, short-circuit current density of 7.32 mA·cm−2, open-circuit voltage of 1.30 V, and fill factor of 79.87%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Perovskite Solar Cells)
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11 pages, 6390 KiB  
Article
Bulk Photovoltaic Current Mechanisms in All-Inorganic Perovskite Multiferroic Materials
by Jiazheng Chen, Guobin Ma, Boxiang Gong, Chaoyong Deng, Min Zhang, Kaixin Guo, Ruirui Cui, Yunkai Wu, Menglan Lv and Xu Wang
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(3), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13030429 - 20 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1930
Abstract
After the discovery of bulk photovoltaic effect more than half a century ago, ferro-electrical and magneto-optical experiments have provided insights into various related topics, revealing above bandgap open voltages and non-central symmetrical current mechanisms. However, the nature of the photon-generated carriers responses and [...] Read more.
After the discovery of bulk photovoltaic effect more than half a century ago, ferro-electrical and magneto-optical experiments have provided insights into various related topics, revealing above bandgap open voltages and non-central symmetrical current mechanisms. However, the nature of the photon-generated carriers responses and their microscopic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, all-inorganic perovskite Bi0.85Gd0.15Fe1xMnxO3 thin films were prepared by a sol-gel process and the effects of Gd and Mn co-doped bismuth ferrites on their microtopography, grain boundries, multiferroic, and optical properties were studied. We discovered a simple “proof of principle” type new method that by one-step measuring the leakage current, one can demonstrate the value of photo generated current being the sum of ballistic current and shift current, which are combined to form the so-called bulk photovoltaic current, and can be related to the prototype intrinsic properties such as magneto-optical coupling and ferroelectric polarization. This result has significant potential influence on design principles for engineering multiferroic optoelectronic devices and future photovoltaic industry development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Perovskite Solar Cells)
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13 pages, 5837 KiB  
Article
The Stability of Hybrid Perovskites with UiO-66 Metal–Organic Framework Additives with Heat, Light, and Humidity
by Ivan S. Zhidkov, Ming-Hsuan Yu, Andrey I. Kukharenko, Po-Chun Han, Seif O. Cholakh, Wen-Yueh Yu, Kevin C.-W. Wu, Chu-Chen Chueh and Ernst Z. Kurmaev
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4349; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234349 - 06 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2007
Abstract
This study is devoted to investigating the stability of metal–organic framework (MOF)-hybrid perovskites consisting of CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) and UiO-66 without a functional group and UiO-66 with different COOH, NH2,and F functional groups under external [...] Read more.
This study is devoted to investigating the stability of metal–organic framework (MOF)-hybrid perovskites consisting of CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) and UiO-66 without a functional group and UiO-66 with different COOH, NH2,and F functional groups under external influences including heat, light, and humidity. By conducting crystallinity, optical, and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) measurements after long-term aging, all of the prepared MAPbI3@UiO-66 nanocomposites (with pristine UiO-66 or UiO-66 with additional functional groups) were stable to light soaking and a relative humidity (RH) of 50%. Moreover, the UiO-66 and UiO-66-(F)4 hybrid perovskite films possessed a higher heat tolerance than the other two UiO-66 with the additional functional groups of NH2 and COOH. Tthe MAPbI3@UiO-66-(F)4 delivered the highest stability and improved optical properties after aging. This study provides a deeper understanding of the impact of the structure of hybrid MOFs on the stability of the composite films. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Perovskite Solar Cells)
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13 pages, 2658 KiB  
Article
Monovalent Copper Cation Doping Enables High-Performance CsPbIBr2-Based All-Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
by Zhaonan Du, Huimin Xiang, Amin Xie, Ran Ran, Wei Zhou, Wei Wang and Zongping Shao
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4317; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234317 - 05 Dec 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1737
Abstract
Organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have delivered the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.7% currently, but they are unfortunately limited by several key issues, such as inferior humid and thermal stability, significantly retarding their widespread application. To tackle the instability issue, all-inorganic [...] Read more.
Organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have delivered the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.7% currently, but they are unfortunately limited by several key issues, such as inferior humid and thermal stability, significantly retarding their widespread application. To tackle the instability issue, all-inorganic PSCs have attracted increasing interest due to superior structural, humid and high-temperature stability to their organic–inorganic counterparts. Nevertheless, all-inorganic PSCs with typical CsPbIBr2 perovskite as light absorbers suffer from much inferior PCEs to those of organic–inorganic PSCs. Functional doping is regarded as a simple and useful strategy to improve the PCEs of CsPbIBr2-based all-inorganic PSCs. Herein, we report a monovalent copper cation (Cu+)-doping strategy to boost the performance of CsPbIBr2-based PSCs by increasing the grain sizes and improving the CsPbIBr2 film quality, reducing the defect density, inhibiting the carrier recombination and constructing proper energy level alignment. Consequently, the device with optimized Cu+-doping concentration generates a much better PCE of 9.11% than the pristine cell (7.24%). Moreover, the Cu+ doping also remarkably enhances the humid and thermal durability of CsPbIBr2-based PSCs with suppressed hysteresis. The current study provides a simple and useful strategy to enhance the PCE and the durability of CsPbIBr2-based PSCs, which can promote the practical application of perovskite photovoltaics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Perovskite Solar Cells)
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10 pages, 16552 KiB  
Article
Electrodeposition of Lithium-Based Upconversion Nanoparticle Thin Films for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
by Masfer Alkahtani, Hussam Qasem, Sultan M. Alenzi, Najla Alsofyani, Anfal Alfahd, Abdulaziz Aljuwayr and Philip R. Hemmer
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(12), 2115; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12122115 - 20 Jun 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2032
Abstract
In this work, high-quality lithium-based, LiYF4=Yb3+,Er3+ upconversion (UC) thin film was electrodeposited on fluorene-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass for solar cell applications. A complete perovskite solar cell (PSC) was [...] Read more.
In this work, high-quality lithium-based, LiYF4=Yb3+,Er3+ upconversion (UC) thin film was electrodeposited on fluorene-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass for solar cell applications. A complete perovskite solar cell (PSC) was fabricated on top of the FTO glass coated with UC thin film and named (UC-PSC device). The fabricated UC-PSC device demonstrated a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.1%, an additional photocurrent, and a better fill factor (FF) of 76% in comparison to the pristine PSC device (PCE = ~16.57%; FF = 71%). Furthermore, the photovoltaic performance of the UC-PSC device was then tested under concentrated sunlight with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24% without cooling system complexity. The reported results open the door toward efficient PSCs for renewable and green energy applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Perovskite Solar Cells)
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Review

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26 pages, 5688 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Nanostructured Inorganic Hole-Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells
by Dingyan Huang, Huimin Xiang, Ran Ran, Wei Wang, Wei Zhou and Zongping Shao
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(15), 2592; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152592 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2229
Abstract
Organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received particular attention in the last decade because of the high-power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), facile fabrication route and low cost. However, one of the most crucial obstacles to hindering the commercialization of PSCs is the instability [...] Read more.
Organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received particular attention in the last decade because of the high-power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), facile fabrication route and low cost. However, one of the most crucial obstacles to hindering the commercialization of PSCs is the instability issue, which is mainly caused by the inferior quality of the perovskite films and the poor tolerance of organic hole-transporting layer (HTL) against heat and moisture. Inorganic HTL materials are regarded as promising alternatives to replace organic counterparts for stable PSCs due to the high chemical stability, wide band gap, high light transmittance and low cost. In particular, nanostructure construction is reported to be an effective strategy to boost the hole transfer capability of inorganic HTLs and then enhance the PCEs of PSCs. Herein, the recent advances in the design and fabrication of nanostructured inorganic materials as HTLs for PSCs are reviewed by highlighting the superiority of nanostructured inorganic HTLs over organic counterparts in terms of moisture and heat tolerance, hole transfer capability and light transmittance. Furthermore, several strategies to boost the performance of inorganic HTLs are proposed, including fabrication route design, functional/selectively doping, morphology control, nanocomposite construction, etc. Finally, the challenges and future research directions about nanostructured inorganic HTL-based PSCs are provided and discussed. This review presents helpful guidelines for the design and fabrication of high-efficiency and durable inorganic HTL-based PSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Perovskite Solar Cells)
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