Solution-Processed Metal-Oxide Nanoparticles to Prevent The Sputtering Damage in Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar
Erica Magliano1, Francesco Di Giacomo1, Harshavardhan Reddy Sathy1
1CHOSE (Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy), Department of Electronic Engineering, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via del Politecnico 1, Rome 00118, Italy.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 10, 2025
Summary
We developed a solution-processed buffer layer to protect semitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST-PSCs) in tandem applications. This method, combined with silicon heterojunction cells, achieved a 25.3% efficiency, showcasing a scalable approach for solar energy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Semitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST-PSCs) are crucial for tandem applications.
- Atomic layer deposition (ALD) buffer layers are typically used to prevent damage during transparent electrode sputtering.
- Sputtering damage can reduce the performance and longevity of ST-PSCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a solution-processed metal-oxide nanoparticle buffer layer as an alternative to ALD for mitigating sputter-induced damage in ST-PSCs.
- To integrate this ST-PSC into a monolithic tandem solar cell with a silicon heterojunction (SHJ) cell.
- To evaluate the efficiency and performance enhancement offered by the novel buffer layer and the SHJ cell design.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of ST-PSCs utilizing a solution-processed metal-oxide nanoparticle buffer layer.
- Integration of the optimized ST-PSC with a p-type silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cell featuring a polished front-side and unpolished rear-side.
- Characterization of the monolithic tandem solar cell's performance, including efficiency measurements.
Main Results:
- The solution-processed buffer layer effectively mitigated sputter-induced damage.
- The monolithic tandem cell achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency of 25.3%.
- The unpolished rear-side of the SHJ cell enhanced light absorption, reducing the need for texturization.
Conclusions:
- Solution-processed buffer layers offer a practical and scalable method to prevent sputtering damage in ST-PSCs for tandem applications.
- Silicon wafers with unpolished rear surfaces are advantageous for boosting photocurrent in tandem solar cells.
- The developed monolithic tandem solar cell demonstrates significant potential for high-efficiency solar energy conversion.
