Enhanced Nucleation of Atomic Layer Deposited Contacts Improves Operational Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells in Air

Raiford, James A.; Boyd, Caleb; Palmstrom, Axel; Wolf, Eli J; Fearon, Benhamin A.; Berry, Joseph J; McGehee, Michael; Bent, Stacey F.

doi:10.1002/aenm.201902353

Title: Enhanced Nucleation of Atomic Layer Deposited Contacts Improves Operational Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells in Air

Journal Article · Thu Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2019 · Advanced Energy Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201902353· OSTI ID:1579319

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^[2]; Wolf, Eli J ^[2]; Fearon, Benhamin A. ^[1];

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Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Metal-halide perovskites show promise as highly efficient solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and other optoelectronic devices. Ensuring long-term stability is now a major priority. In this study, an ultrathin (2 nm) layer of polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE) is used to functionalize the surface of C₆₀ for the subsequent deposition of atomic layer deposition (ALD) SnO₂, a commonly used electron contact bilayer for p-i-n devices. The enhanced nucleation results in a more continuous initial ALD SnO₂ layer that exhibits superior barrier properties, protecting Cs_0.25FA_0.75Pb(Br_0.20|_0.80)₃ films upon direct exposure to high temperatures (200 degrees C) and water. This surface modification with PEIE translates to more stable solar cells under aggressive testing conditions in air at 60 degrees C under illumination. This type of 'built-in' barrier layer mitigates degradation pathways not addressed by external encapsulation, such as internal halide or metal diffusion, while maintaining high device efficiency up to 18.5%. This nucleation strategy is also extended to ALD VOx films, demonstrating its potential to be broadly applied to other metal oxide contacts and device architectures.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308; AC36‐08GO23808; EE0008167

OSTI ID:: 1579319

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1573420; OSTI ID: 1671791

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5900-75614

Journal Information:: Advanced Energy Materials, Vol. 9, Issue 47; ISSN 1614-6832

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 44 works

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
atomic layer deposition
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Title: Enhanced Nucleation of Atomic Layer Deposited Contacts Improves Operational Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells in Air

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