A CRYSTAL ENGINEERING APPROACH FOR PEROVSKITE SOLAR CELLS AND MODULES FABRICATION OUT OF THE GLOVE BOX

ABSTRACT

In the present work we used some crystallization trends which could be classified as Crystal Engineering (CE) methods, for deposition of a pure cubic-phase thin film of CH3NH3PbI3 at the surface of mesoporous TiO2 layer. Accordingly, by using the CE approach in air, we fabricated high efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSC) and perovskite solar modules (PSM) utilizing several Hole Transport Layers (HTLs). The results show that the CE approach remarkably improved the device performance reaching a power conversion efficiency of 17%, 16.8% and 7% for spiro-OMeTAD, P3HT and HTL free, respectively. Furthermore, perovskite solar modules (active area of 10.1 cm2), could reach an overall efficiency of 13% and 12.1% by using spiro-OMeTAD and P3HT as HTLs, respectively. Sealed modules showed promising results in terms of stability maintaining 70% of the initial efficiency after 350 hours of light soaking at maximum power point.

N. Yaghoobi Nia, M. Zendehdel, F. Matteocci, L. Cinà, A. Di Carlo

J. Mat. Chem. A
6, 659-671
DOI: 10.1039/C7TA08038G

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2018/ta/c7ta08038g#!divAbstract

PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL AND SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC STUDIES ON DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS (DSCS) AND STABLE MODULES (DSCMS) BASED ON NATURAL APOCAROTENOIDS PIGMENTS

ABSTRACT

We present a study on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and we fabricate dye-sensitized solar modules (DSCMs) based on natural apocarotenoids extracted from the achiote's seeds (annatto). Use of less polar solvent such as diethyl ether improves the bixin concentration in the annatto extract which, was employed as sensitizer in the devices. We measure IPCE max (∼33%) and estimate ϕinj≥0.438 for annatto. By accurate and progressive optimization of both TiO2 multilayer photoanode and of electrolyte composition an efficiency (η) around 1.6%, is achieved, with an improvement of about ∼742% compare to the best performance for annatto extract, so far reported. DSCM shows stability which overcomes 1000 h (shelf-life test), under 1 sun, and produces a battery capacity of ∼46.8 Ah, the equivalent to ∼15 type AAA standard battery, in a similar time period. Although annatto based DSCMs are still below the efficiency requirements for practical applications for large scale industry, our encouraging results, testify the potentiality of this pigment in the production of non-toxic, cheap, long term stable and environmentally friendly vegetable based solar devices, as alternatives to batteries for small electronic goods market.

Giuseppe Calogero, Jessica Barichello, Ilaria Citro, Paolo Mariani, Luigi Vesce, Antonino Bartolotta, Aldo Di Carlo, Gaetano Di Marco

Dyes and Pigments 155 (2018) 75-83
doi: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2018.03.021

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2018.03.021

PEROVSKITE MODULE

We fabricated the first perovskite-based monolithic series-type module showing very promising results in terms of the power conversion efficiency, the reproducibility of the fabrication process and long-term stability. To achieve these results, important innovative procedures were implemented in order to realize an efficient up-scaling process including:

• a customised formulation of TiO₂ paste to realize a uniform thin titania scaffold by Screen Printing technique
• a proper cleaning procedure of the CH₃NH₃PbI_3-xCl_x on the interconnection area between single cells to realize a patterned perovskite deposition
• a c-TiO₂ patterned deposition

Furthermore, two different HTMs were used, i.e. the Spiro-OMeTAD and the P3HT polymer both reaching a PCE equal to 5.1%. The P3HT was utilized as cost-effective alternative material also to test the reproducibility of the fabrication process. These fabrication processes were here used for the first time to define a reproducible fabrication procedure applicable to large area. To achieve better performance in terms of PCE and long-term stability, future developments will concentrate on the study of efficient sealants, the optimisation of the perovskite deposition and the cleaning procedure of the interconnection area between neighbouring cells.

F. Matteocci, S. Razza, F. Di Giacomo, S. Casaluci, G. Mincuzzi, T. M. Brown, A. D'Epifanio, S. Licoccia and A. Di Carlo
"Solid-state solar modules based on mesoscopic organometal halide perovskite: a route towards the up-scaling process"

DOI: 10.1039/C3CP55313B

PEROVSKITE SOLAR CELLS AT CHOSE: A NEW PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY

We fabricated perovskite based solar cells using CH₃NH₃PbI_3-xCl_x with different hole transporting materials such as Spiro-OMeTAD and P3HT. By tuning the energy level of P3HT and optimizing the device’s fabrication, we reached 9.3% of power conversion efficiency showing that P3HT can be a suitable low cost hole transport material for efficient perovskite based solar cells.

[Di Giacomo et al, J. Power Sources 251, 152 (2014)]

THE PHOTOVOLTAIC GREENHOUSE

                     

We have demonstrated the feasibility of the fabrication of a photovoltaic greenhouse roof by using techniques based on solution processing (spray coating and screen printing). The panel ensures the suitable transmittance for plants and is composed of modules connected in series and parallel.

The work was funded by ECOFLECS Project (partners: Aero Sekur SpA, Uni Roma Tor Vergata, UniTuscia, CNR-IBAF).

A COATING FOR ALL

Fully sprayed polymer solar cell modules open the way to bring Photovoltaics nominally everywhere, thanks to spray coating conformability to virtually any kind of substrate. If we also add semitransparency, then the range of possible applications gets even broader, from Building-Integrated Photovoltaics to automotive or consumer electronics.

We have set up an automated spray process, completely performed in air, for the fabrication of the first fully spray-coated modules on glass substrates. We have obtained conversion efficiency close to 1% and now the transfer on plastic substrate is in progress, together with the improvement of the efficiency on large area.

Full story available on Energy Technology, in press paper.

Supporting Information: Full Spray and flexible PSC Modules on Action!