FABRICATION AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH EFFICIENCY BLADE-COATED PEROVSKITE SOLAR MODULES
ABSTRACT
Organo-metal halide perovskite demonstrates a large potential for achieving highly efficient photovoltaic devices. The scaling up process represents one of the major challenges to exploit this technology at the industrial level. Here, the scaling up of perovskite solar modules from 5x5 cm2 to 10x10 cm2 substrate area is reported by blade coating both the CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite and the Spiro-OMeTAD layers. The sequential deposition approach is used in which both lead iodide (PbI2) deposition and the conversion step are optimized by using additives. The PbI2 solution is modified by adding methylammonium iodide (MAI) which improve perovskite crystallinity and pore filling of the mesoporous TiO2 scaffold. Optimization of the conversion step is achieved by adding a small concentration of water into the MAI-based solution, producing large cubic CH3NH3PbI3 grains. The combination of the two modifications lead to a power conversion efficiency of 14.7% on a perovskite solar module with an active area of 47 cm2.
Fabio Matteocci, Luigi Vesce, Felix Utama Kosasih, Luigi Angelo Castriotta, Stefania Cacovich, Alessandro Lorenzo Palma, Giorgio Divitini, Caterina Ducati, Aldo Di Carlo
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b05730
Applied Materials and Interfaces 2019, vol. 11, pp. 25195-25204
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.9b05730
THE EFFECT OF WATER IN CARBON-PEROVSKITE SOLAR CELLS WITH OPTIMIZED ALUMINA SPACER
ABSTRACT
Perovskite solar cells with carbon back contact (C-PSC) represent a promising architecture that allows for a simplification of the manufacture process and a stabilization of the cell performances. In this work, we designed a fully printable C-PSC using a homemade mesoporous alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) ink. By increasing the alumina layer thickness we show that fill factor reduces, short-circuit current increases, while open circuit voltage increases until a thickness of 1.2 μm. In order to improve performances of PSCs, we investigated a water pre-treatment before perovskite deposition. We show that water pre-treatment improves pore filling, leads to a reduction of charge recombination, and improves the conversion of PbI 2 crystals into perovskite. The water pre-treatment permits to obtain an average efficiency increasing of 16% with respect to cells without water pre-treatment.
Jessica Barichello, Luigi Vesce, Fabio Matteocci, Enrico Lamanna, Aldo Di Carlo
DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2019.03.029
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 197 (2019) 76–83
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927024819301485
SCALING-UP OF DYE SENSITIZED SOLAR MODULES
ABSTRACT
Among all the third generation photovoltaics (PV), dye sensitized solar cell (DSC) technology has been developed up to the commercialization level. The large interest on this hybrid PV technology is mainly related to color and transparency tuning, the possibility to use both rigid and flexible substrates, low embedded energy, superior indoor performance and diffused light operability. Moreover, easy and simple large area manufacture processes, low production CAPEX and moderate environmental costs pushed both scientific and industrial interest on this PV technology. DSC modules can be fabricated by adopting techniques and methods already developed in other industrial sectors, while only a limited partof the entire fabrication process (e.g. electrolyte injection and sealing) has been specifically developed for this PV technology.
In this chapter, we will discuss the design, fabrication and industrial manufacture of DSC modules including a discussion on stability and demonstrative installations. Unlike small area cells, module fabrication presents additional issues related to encapsulation, interconnections, layers uniformity, reverse bias stresses, panel lamination, which need to be handled and optimized to scale the device without penalizing efficiency and stability. In order to perform processes on large area, the transition from laboratory to production line can be achieved by the use of a high degree of automation. This would satisfy the repeatability and sturdiness of the realized devices, a fundamental characteristic for a mass production. Concerning stability, DSC modules need to present a lifetime ranging from 5 years (low-cost electronic applications) to 20 years (power-plant application or building integrated PV applications) to ensure a reliable use of this technology.
Jessica Barichello, Luigi Vesce, Fabio Matteocci, Enrico Lamanna, Aldo Di Carlo
DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2019.03.029
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 197 (2019) 76–83
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927024819301485
PRINTED SOLAR CELLS AND ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES ON PAPER SUBSTRATES
ABSTRACT
Paper is a flexible material, commonly used for information storage, writing, packaging, or specialized purposes. It also has strong appeal as a substrate in the field of flexible printed electronics. Many applications, including safety, merchandising, smart labels/packing, and chemical/biomedical sensors, require an energy source to power operation. Here, progress regarding development of photovoltaic and energy storage devices on cellulosic substrates, where one or more of the main material layers are deposited via solution processing or printing, is reviewed. Paper can be used simply as the flexible substrate or, exploiting its porous fiber‐like nature, as an active film by infiltration or copreparation with electronic materials. Solar cells with efficiencies of up to 9% on opaque substrates and 13% on transparent substrates are demonstrated. Recent developments in paper‐based supercapacitors and batteries are also reviewed with maximum achieved capacity of 1350 mF cm−2 and 2000 mAh g−1, respectively. Analyzing the literature, it becomes apparent that more work needs to be carried out in continuing to improve peak performance, but especially stability and the application of printing techniques, even roll‐to‐roll processing, over large areas. Paper is not only environmentally friendly and recyclable, but also thin, flexible, lightweight, biocompatible, and inexpensive.
Francesca Brunetti, Alessandra Operamolla, Sergio Castro‐Hermosa, Giulia Lucarelli, Valerio Manca, Gianluca M. Farinola, Thomas M. Brown
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201806798
Advanced Functional Materials, 30 January 2019
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adfm.201806798
THERMALLY INDUCED FULLERENE DOMAIN COARSENING PROCESS IN ORGANIC SOLAR CELLS
ABSTRACT
The recent advancements in power conversion efficiency for organic solar cells is still complained by their reliability and stability remaining the main bottlenecks for organic photovoltaics large scale production and commercialization. In this paper, we aim to provide further insights understanding in degradation processes affecting stability in small molecule flat heterojunction (Glass/ITO/MoO₃/ZnPc/C₆₀/BCP/Ag) solar cells through a systematic aging study coupled with optoelectrical characterizations. In particular, the burn-in phenomenon affecting short-circuit current in thermal-stressed samples has been clearly correlated with the C₆₀ domain coarsening process and eventually to the decreased exciton lifetime.
Antonio Agresti, Sara Pescetelli, Yan Busby, Tom Aernouts
DOI: 10.1109/TED.2018.2880760
IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices PP(99):1-11 · November 2018
A NOVEL CLASS OF DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR MODULES. GLASS-PLASTIC STRUCTURE FOR MECHANICALLY STABLE DEVICES
ABSTRACT
Owing to its peculiar properties such as transparency, weak angle dependence and improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) at diffused light, DSSCs (Dye Sensitized Solar Cells) are well suited for Building Integrated PhotoVoltaic (BIPV). For large area DSSC devices and modules, one of the main causes of sealing failure is the deformation of the glass substrates due to the sintering process of TiO 2 which occurs significantly at temperatures around 500 °C. The novel class of realized DSSMs (Dye Sensitized Solar Modules) consists in a “Glass/Plastic hybrid” structure with a photo-electrode developed on glass-FTO and a counter-electrode developed on PET-ITO. By adopting this unique solution, it is possible to anneal the photo-electrode at temperatures above 500°C for an optimal TiO 2 sintering and to improve the sturdiness of the devices adapting the flexible counter-electrode on the rigid photo-electrode. Developing the counter-electrode on PET-ITO we halved the thickness and weight of the devices, strengthens the commitment of DSSC technology in BIPV sector where the weights and the volumes occupied by components play a fundamental role in design, fabrication and costs. devices, as alternatives to batteries for small electronic goods market.
Paolo Mariani, Luigi Vesce, Aldo Di Carlo
DOI: 10.1109/RTSI.2018.8548439
2018 IEEE 4th International Forum on Research and Technology for Society and Industry (RTSI) Proceedings
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8548439
Graphene-Engineered Automated Sprayed Mesoscopic Structure for Perovskite Device Scaling-Up
ABSTRACT
One of the most thrilling developments in the photovoltaic field over recent years has been the use of organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite, such as CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3), as a promising new material for low-cost and highly efficient solar cells. Despite the impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeding 22% demonstrated on lab-scale devices, large-area material deposition procedures and automatized device fabrication protocols are still challenging to achieve high-throughput serial manufacturing of modules and panels. In this work, we demonstrate that spray coating is an effective technique for the production of mesoscopic small- and large-area perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In particular, we report a sprayed graphene-doped mesoporous TiO2 (mTiO2) scaffold for mesoscopic PSCs. By successfully combining the spray coating technique with the insertion of graphene additive into the sprayed mTiO2 scaffold, a uniform film deposition and a significant enhancement of the electron transport/injection at the mTiO2/perovskite electrode is achieved. The use of graphene flakes on the sprayed scaffold boosts the PCE of small-area cells up to 17.5% that corresponds to an increase of more than 15% compared to standard cells. For large-area (1.1 cm2) cells, a PCE up to 14.96% is achieved. Moreover, graphene-doped mTiO2 layer enhances the stability of the PSCs compared to standard devices. The feasibility of PSC fabrication by spray coating deposition of the mesoporous film on large-area 21 × 24 cm2 provides a viable and low-cost route to scale up the manufacturing of low-cost, stable and high-efficiency PSCs.
Babak Taheri, Narges Yaghoobi Nia, Antonio Agresti, Sara Pescetelli, Claudio Ciceroni, Antonio Esaù Del Rio Castillo, Lucio Cinà, Sebastiano Bellani, Francesco Bonaccorso, Aldo Di Carlo
DOI: 10.1088/2053-1583/aad983
25 September 2018
2D Materials
http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2053-1583/aad983/meta
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