Editorial

3 pages, 184 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue: Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications

by Athanasia Kostopoulou and Dimitra Vernardou

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(1), 97; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12010097 - 29 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1106

In the past decade, perovskite materials have attracted great scientific and technological interest due to their interesting opto-electronic properties. Nanostructuring of the perovskites, due to their reduced dimensions are advantageous in offering large surface area, controlled transport and charge carrier mobility, strong absorption [...] Read more.

In the past decade, perovskite materials have attracted great scientific and technological interest due to their interesting opto-electronic properties. Nanostructuring of the perovskites, due to their reduced dimensions are advantageous in offering large surface area, controlled transport and charge carrier mobility, strong absorption and photoluminescence, and confinement effects. These features, together with the unique tunability in composition, shape, and functionalities in addition to the ability to form efficient, low-cost, and light-active structures make the perovskite nanostructures efficient functional components for multiple applications, ranging from photovoltaics and batteries to lasing and light-emitting diodes. The purpose of this Special Issue is to give an overview of the latest experimental findings concerning the tunability in composition, shape, functionalities, growth conditions, and synthesis procedures of perovskite structures and to identify the critical parameters for producing materials with functional characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

Research

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11 pages, 4616 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Room-Temperature Solution-Processed 0D/1D Bilayer Electrodes for Translucent CsPbBr₃ Perovskite Photovoltaics

by Bhaskar Parida, Saemon Yoon and Dong-Won Kang

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1489; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11061489 - 04 Jun 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2481

Abstract

Materials and processing of transparent electrodes (TEs) are key factors to creating high-performance translucent perovskite solar cells. To date, sputtered indium tin oxide (ITO) has been a general option for a rear TE of translucent solar cells. However, it requires a rather high [...] Read more.

Materials and processing of transparent electrodes (TEs) are key factors to creating high-performance translucent perovskite solar cells. To date, sputtered indium tin oxide (ITO) has been a general option for a rear TE of translucent solar cells. However, it requires a rather high cost due to vacuum process and also typically causes plasma damage to the underlying layer. Therefore, we introduced TE based on ITO nanoparticles (ITO-NPs) by solution processing in ambient air without any heat treatment. As it reveals insufficient conductivity, Ag nanowires (Ag-NWs) are additionally coated. The ITO-NPs/Ag-NW (0D/1D) bilayer TE exhibits a better figure of merit than sputtered ITO. After constructing CsPbBr₃ perovskite solar cells, the device with 0D/1D TE offers similar average visible transmission with the cells with sputtered ITO. More interestingly, the power conversion efficiency of 0D/1D TE device was 5.64%, which outperforms the cell (4.14%) made with sputtered-ITO. These impressive findings could open up a new pathway for the development of low-cost, translucent solar cells with quick processing under ambient air at room temperature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

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13 pages, 1559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Local Morphology Effects on the Photoluminescence Properties of Thin CsPbBr₃ Nanocrystal Films

by Marco Anni, Arianna Cretí, Maria Luisa De Giorgi and Mauro Lomascolo

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1470; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11061470 - 01 Jun 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2136

Abstract

Lead halide perovskites are emerging as extremely interesting active materials for a wide variety of optoelectronic and photonic devices. A deep understanding of their photophysics is thus fundamental in order to properly understand the origins of the materials active properties and to provide [...] Read more.

Lead halide perovskites are emerging as extremely interesting active materials for a wide variety of optoelectronic and photonic devices. A deep understanding of their photophysics is thus fundamental in order to properly understand the origins of the materials active properties and to provide strategies for improving them. In this work, we exploit the local morphological variations in a drop-cast thin CsPbBr

_{3}

nanocrystal film to show that the aggregation of NCs has strong effects on the peak wavelengths of PL spectra, the linewidth, and the intensity of dependence on temperature. An analysis based on models that are frequently used in the literature led to completely different conclusions about the intrinsic NC emission properties extracted from spectra measured in points with different contribution of the PL from the aggregates. Our results demonstrate that extreme care has to be used in order to correctly correlate the spectral PL features with the intrinsic emission properties of lead halide perovskite NC films. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

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8 pages, 1676 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Electrochemical Investigation of Phenethylammonium Bismuth Iodide as Anode in Aqueous Zn²⁺ Electrolytes

by Stylianos Daskalakis, Mingyue Wang, Claire J. Carmalt and Dimitra Vernardou

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(3), 656; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11030656 - 08 Mar 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2249

Abstract

Despite the high potential impact of aqueous battery systems, fundamental characteristics such as cost, safety, and stability make them less feasible for large-scale energy storage systems. One of the main barriers encountered in the commercialization of aqueous batteries is the development of large-scale [...] Read more.

Despite the high potential impact of aqueous battery systems, fundamental characteristics such as cost, safety, and stability make them less feasible for large-scale energy storage systems. One of the main barriers encountered in the commercialization of aqueous batteries is the development of large-scale electrodes with high reversibility, high rate capability, and extended cycle stability at low operational and maintenance costs. To overcome some of these issues, the current research work is focused on a new class of material based on phenethylammonium bismuth iodide on fluorine doped SnO₂-precoated glass substrate via aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition, a technology that is industrially competitive. The anode materials were electrochemically investigated in Zn²⁺ aqueous electrolytes as a proof of concept, which presented a specific capacity of 220 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.4 A g⁻¹ with excellent stability after 50 scans and capacity retention of almost 100%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

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19 pages, 6153 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Characterising Exciton Generation in Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells

by Kiran Sreedhar Ram, Hooman Mehdizadeh-Rad, David Ompong, Daniel Dodzi Yao Setsoafia and Jai Singh

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 209; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11010209 - 15 Jan 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2731

Abstract

In this paper, characterisation of exciton generation is carried out in three bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells (BHJ OSCs)—OSC1: an inverted non-fullerene (NF) BHJ OSC; OSC2: a conventional NF BHJ OSC; and OSC3: a conventional fullerene BHJ OSC. It is found that the overlap [...] Read more.

In this paper, characterisation of exciton generation is carried out in three bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells (BHJ OSCs)—OSC1: an inverted non-fullerene (NF) BHJ OSC; OSC2: a conventional NF BHJ OSC; and OSC3: a conventional fullerene BHJ OSC. It is found that the overlap of the regions of strong constructive interference of incident and reflected electric fields of electromagnetic waves and those of high photon absorption within the active layer depends on the active layer thickness. An optimal thickness of the active layer can thus be obtained at which this overlap is maximum. We have simulated the rates of total exciton generation and position dependent exciton generation within the active layer as a function of the thicknesses of all the layers in all three OSCs and optimised their structures. Based on our simulated results, the inverted NF BHJ OSC1 is found to have better short circuit current density which may lead to better photovoltaic performance than the other two. It is expected that the results of this paper may provide guidance in fabricating highly efficient and cost effective BHJ OSCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

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15 pages, 3308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of 5-Ammonium Valeric Acid Iodide as Additive on Methyl Ammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite Solar Cells

by Daming Zheng, Changheng Tong, Tao Zhu, Yaoguang Rong and Thierry Pauporté

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2512; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10122512 - 14 Dec 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3029

Abstract

During the past decade, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has risen rapidly, and it now approaches the record for single crystal silicon solar cells. However, these devices still suffer from a problem of stability. To improve PSC stability, [...] Read more.

During the past decade, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has risen rapidly, and it now approaches the record for single crystal silicon solar cells. However, these devices still suffer from a problem of stability. To improve PSC stability, two approaches have been notably developed: the use of additives and/or post-treatments that can strengthen perovskite structures and the use of a nontypical architecture where three mesoporous layers, including a porous carbon backcontact without hole transporting layer, are employed. This paper focuses on 5-ammonium valeric acid iodide (5-AVAI or AVA) as an additive in methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI). By combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), current–voltage measurements, ideality factor determination, and in-depth electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) investigations on various layers stacks structures, we discriminated the effects of a mesoscopic scaffold and an AVA additive. The AVA additive was found to decrease the bulk defects in perovskite (PVK) and boost the PVK resistance to moisture. The triple mesoporous structure was detrimental for the defects, but it improved the stability against humidity. On standard architecture, the PCE is 16.9% with the AVA additive instead of 18.1% for the control. A high stability of TiO₂/ZrO₂/carbon/perovskite cells was found due to both AVA and the protection by the all-inorganic scaffold. These cells achieved a PCE of 14.4% in the present work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

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10 pages, 1433 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Charge-Transporting-Layer-Free, Vacuum-Free, All-Inorganic CsPbIBr₂ Perovskite Solar Cells Via Dipoles-Adjusted Interface

by Wentao Zhang, Zeyulin Zhang, Qubo Jiang, Ziming Wei, Yuting Zhang, Hailong You, Dazheng Chen, Weidong Zhu, Fengqin He and Chunfu Zhang

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(7), 1324; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10071324 - 06 Jul 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2548

Abstract

The inorganic perovskite has a better stability than the hybrid halide perovskite, and at the same time it has the potential to achieve an excellent photoelectric performance as the organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskite. Thus, the pursuit of a low-cost and high-performance inorganic perovskite [...] Read more.

The inorganic perovskite has a better stability than the hybrid halide perovskite, and at the same time it has the potential to achieve an excellent photoelectric performance as the organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskite. Thus, the pursuit of a low-cost and high-performance inorganic perovskite solar cell (PSC) is becoming the research hot point in the research field of perovskite devices. In setting out to build vacuum-free and carbon-based all-inorganic PSCs with the traits of simple fabrication and low cost, we propose the ones with a simplified vertical structure of FTO/CsPbIBr₂/carbon upon interfacial modification with PEI species. In this structure, both the electron-transporting-layer and hole-transporting-layer are abandoned, and the noble metal is also replaced by the carbon paste. At the same time, FTO is modified by PEI, which brings dipoles to decrease the work function of FTO. Through our measurements, the carrier recombination has been partially suppressed, and the performance of champion PSCs has far exceeded the control devices without PEI modification, which yields a power conversion efficiency of 4.9% with an open circuit voltage of 0.9 V and a fill factor of 50.4%. Our work contributes significantly to give an available method to explore charge-transporting-layer-free, low-cost, and high-performance PSCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

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10 pages, 2922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interfacial Modification of Mesoporous TiO₂ Films with PbI₂-Ethanolamine-Dimethyl Sulfoxide Solution for CsPbIBr₂ Perovskite Solar Cells

by Xianwei Meng, Kailin Chi, Qian Li, Yu Cao, Gengxin Song, Bao Liu, Haibin Yang and Wuyou Fu

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(5), 962; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10050962 - 18 May 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3189

Abstract

As one of the most frequently-used electron-transporting materials, the mesoporous titanium dioxide (m-TiO₂) film used in mesoporous structured perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can be employed for the scaffold of the perovskite film and as a pathway for electron transport, and the [...] Read more.

As one of the most frequently-used electron-transporting materials, the mesoporous titanium dioxide (m-TiO₂) film used in mesoporous structured perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can be employed for the scaffold of the perovskite film and as a pathway for electron transport, and the contact area between the perovskite and m-TiO₂ directly determines the comprehensive performance of the PSCs. Because of the substandard interface combining quality between the all-inorganic perovskite CsPbIBr₂ and m-TiO₂, the development of the mesoporous structured CsPbIBr₂ PSCs synthesized by the one-step method is severely limited. Here, we used a solution containing PbI₂, monoethanolamine (EA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (PED) as the interfacial modifier to enhance the contact area and modify the m-TiO₂/CsPbIBr₂ contact characteristics. Comparatively, the performance of the solar device based on the PED-modified m-TiO₂ layer has improved considerably, and its power conversion efficiency is up to 6.39%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

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10 pages, 3924 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperCommunication

Laser-Assisted Fabrication for Metal Halide Perovskite-2D Nanoconjugates: Control on the Nanocrystal Density and Morphology

by Athanasia Kostopoulou, Konstantinos Brintakis, Efthymis Serpetzoglou and Emmanuel Stratakis

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(4), 747; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10040747 - 14 Apr 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2824

Abstract

We report on a facile and rapid photo-induced process to conjugate graphene-based materials with metal-halide perovskite nanocrystals. We show that a small number of laser pulses is sufficient to decorate the 2-dimensional (2D) flakes with metal-halide nanocrystals without affecting their primary morphology. At [...] Read more.

We report on a facile and rapid photo-induced process to conjugate graphene-based materials with metal-halide perovskite nanocrystals. We show that a small number of laser pulses is sufficient to decorate the 2-dimensional (2D) flakes with metal-halide nanocrystals without affecting their primary morphology. At the same time, the density of anchored nanocrystals could be finely tuned by the number of irradiation pulses. This facile and rapid room temperature method provides unique opportunities for the design and development of perovskite-2D nanoconjugates, exhibiting synergetic functionality by combining nanocrystals of different morphologies and chemical phases with various 2D materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

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Review

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21 pages, 5002 KiB

Open AccessReview

Inorganic Materials by Atomic Layer Deposition for Perovskite Solar Cells

by Helen Hejin Park

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 88; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11010088 - 03 Jan 2021

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6473

Abstract

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received much attention with their rapid progress during the past decade, coming close to the point of commercialization. Various approaches in the process of PSC development have been explored with the motivation to enhance the solar [...] Read more.

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received much attention with their rapid progress during the past decade, coming close to the point of commercialization. Various approaches in the process of PSC development have been explored with the motivation to enhance the solar cell power conversion efficiency—while maintaining good device stability from light, temperature, and moisture—and simultaneously optimizing for scalability. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a powerful tool in depositing pinhole-free conformal thin-films with excellent reproducibility and accurate and simple control of thickness and material properties over a large area at low temperatures, making it a highly desirable tool to fabricate components of highly efficient, stable, and scalable PSCs. This review article summarizes ALD’s recent contributions to PSC development through charge transport layers, passivation layers, and buffer and recombination layers for tandem applications and encapsulation techniques. The future research directions of ALD in PSC progress and the remaining challenges will also be discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perovskite Nanostructures: From Material Design to Applications)

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