Title: Improved stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells with submicron flexible barrier films deposited in air

Abstract

Here in this paper, we report on submicron organosilicate barrier films produced rapidly in air by a scalable spray plasma process that improves both the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells. The plasma is at sufficiently low temperature to prevent damage to the underlying layers. Oxidizing species and heat from the plasma improve device performance by enhancing both interfacial contact and the conductivity of the hole transporting layer. The thickness of the barrier films is tunable and transparent over the entire visible spectrum. The morphology and density of the barrier are shown to improve with the addition of a fluorine-based precursor. Devices with submicron coatings exhibited significant improvements in stability, maintaining 92% of their initial power conversion efficiencies after more than 3000 h in dry heat (85 °C, 25% RH) while also being resistant to degradation under simulated operational conditions of continuous exposure to light, heat, and moisture. X-ray diffraction measurements performed while heating showed the barrier film dramatically slows the formation of PbI₂. The barrier films also are compatible with flexible devices, exhibiting no signs of cracking or delamination after 10000 bending cycles on a 127 μm substrate with a bending radius of 1 cm.

Authors:

Rolston, Nicholas ^[1]; Printz, Adam D. ^[2]; Hilt, Florian ^[2]; Hovish, Michael Q. ^[2]; Brüning, Karsten ^[3]; Tassone, Christopher J. ^[3]; Dauskardt, Reinhold H. ^[2]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Dept. of Applied Physics
2. Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
3. SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)

Publication Date:

2017-10-27

Research Org.:

SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

OSTI Identifier:

1423463

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1491403

Grant/Contract Number:  

DGE-1656518; EECS-1542152; AC02-76SF00515

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Journal of Materials Chemistry. A

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 5; Journal Issue: 44; Journal ID: ISSN 2050-7488

Publisher:

Royal Society of Chemistry

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE