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Homogeneous 2D/3D heterostructured tin halide perovskite photovoltaics
Dongxu He1, Peng Chen2, Julian A Steele1,3
1Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Nature Nanotechnology
|April 16, 2025
Summary
Small caesium cations improve tin halide perovskite (THP) thin-film quality by synchronizing nucleation kinetics in 2D/3D heterostructures. This leads to high-performance, stable, lead-free perovskite solar cells.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Tin halide perovskites (THPs) are promising lead-free alternatives for solar cells, but their performance is limited by poor thin-film quality.
- Two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) heterostructures can improve THP films, but 2D colloids have high aggregation barriers, leading to slow nucleation and phase segregation.
- This distinct nucleation kinetics between 2D and 3D THPs results in undesirable phase segregation, compromising device performance and durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the challenges of poor thin-film quality and phase segregation in tin halide perovskites (THPs).
- To develop high-quality 2D/3D heterostructured THP thin films with synchronized nucleation kinetics.
- To enhance the photovoltaic performance and stability of lead-free perovskite solar cells.
Main Methods:
- Incorporating small inorganic caesium cations into the electrical double layers of 2D THP colloids.
- Reducing the size of 2D THP colloids to lower their aggregation barrier.
- Coagulating 2D and 3D THP colloids to synchronize nucleation kinetics for 2D/3D heterostructure formation.
Main Results:
- Caesium incorporation reduced colloid size and aggregation barrier, promoting synchronized nucleation of 2D and 3D THP colloids.
- Homogeneous 2D/3D heterostructured THP thin films with reduced trap states were grown.
- Caesium-incorporated THP solar cells achieved a power conversion efficiency of 17.13% (certified 16.65%) and demonstrated stable operation for over 1,500 hours.
Conclusions:
- Small caesium cations effectively engineer colloidal chemistry and crystallization for high-quality THP thin films.
- Synchronized nucleation kinetics are crucial for forming stable 2D/3D heterostructures and improving device performance.
- This approach paves the way for high-performance, stable, lead-free perovskite solar cells.
