A Catalyst-Like System Enables Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Solid-State Physics

Background:

• High-quality perovskite films are crucial for efficient optoelectronic devices.
• Solution-processed perovskite films often exhibit inhomogeneity, limiting device performance.
• Controlling film formation kinetics is key to overcoming these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the microscopic homogeneity of perovskite films.
• To establish a systematic link between precursor processing and film homogeneity.
• To improve the performance of perovskite-based photovoltaic devices.

Main Methods:

• Modulating perovskite film formation kinetics using a catalyst-like system derived from a foaming agent.
• Investigating chemical and structural evolution using multimodal synchrotron techniques with high spatial resolution.
• Employing computational investigations to develop a conversion pathway model.

Main Results:

• Achieved enhanced microscopic homogeneity in perovskite films.
• Revealed the catalytic conversion pathway and its effect on film formation.
• Developed a cyclic conversion pathway model explaining the enhanced homogeneity.
• Demonstrated a power conversion efficiency of 24.51% for the resulting photovoltaic devices.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully enhanced perovskite film homogeneity by controlling reaction kinetics.
• A novel catalytic approach using a foaming agent provides systematic control over perovskite film formation.
• The developed model and processing strategy offer a pathway to high-performance perovskite optoelectronic devices.