Non-destructive buffer enabling near-infrared-transparent inverted inorganic perovskite solar cells toward 1400 h light-soaking stable perovskite/Cu(In,Ga)Se_(2) tandem solar cells

Near-infrared(NIR)transparent inverted all-inorganic perovskite solar cells(PSCs)are excellent top cell candidates in tandem applications.An essential challenge is the replacement of metal contacts with transparent conductive oxide(TCO)electrodes,which requires the introduction of a buffer layer to prevent sputtering damage.In this study,we show that the conventional buffers(i.e.,small organic molecules and atomic layer deposited metal oxides)used for organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites are not applicable to all-inorganic perovskites,due to non-uniform coverage of the vulnerable layers underneath,deterioration upon ion bombardment and moisture induced perovskite phase transition,A thin film of metal oxide nanoparticles by the spin-coating method serves as a non-destructive buffer layer for inorganic PSCs.All-inorganic inverted near-infrared-transparent PSCs deliver a PCE of 17.46%and an average transmittance of 73.7%between 780 and 1200 nm.In combination with an 18.56%Cu(In,Ga)Se_(2) bottom cell,we further demonstrate the first all-inorganic perovskite/CIGS 4-T tandem solar cell with a PCE of 24.75%,which exhibits excellent illumination stability by maintaining 86.7%of its initial efficiency after 1400 h.The non-destructive buffer lays the foundation for efficient and stable NIR-transparent inverted inorganic perovskite solar cells and perovskite-based tandems.

Surface repair of wide-bandgap perovskites for high-performance all-perovskite tandem solar cells

Wide-bandgap(WBG)perovskite solar cells(PSCs)play a fundamental role in perovskite-based tandem solar cells.However,the efficiency of WBG PSCs is limited by significant open-circuit voltage losses,which are primarily caused by surface defects.In this study,we present a novel method for modifying surfaces using the multifunctional S-ethylisothiourea hydrobromide(SEBr),which can passivate both Pb^(-1)and FA^(-1)terminated surfaces,Moreover,the SEBr upshifted the Fermi level at the perovskite interface,thereby promoting carrier collection.This proposed method was effective for both 1.67 and 1.77 eV WBG PSCs,achieving power conversion efficiencies(PCEs)of 22.47%and 19.90%,respectively,with V_(OC)values of 1.28 and 1.33 V,along with improved film and device stability.With this advancement,we were able to fabricate monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cells with a champion PCE of 27.10%,This research offers valuable insights for passivating the surface trap states of WBG perovskite through rational multifunctional molecular engineering.

Electrochemically Deposited CZTSSe Thin Films for Monolithic Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells with Efficiencies Over 17%

In spite of the high potential economic feasibility of the tandem solar cells consisting of the halide perovskite and the kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4(CZTSSe),they have rarely been demonstrated due to the difficulty in implementing solution-processed perovskite top cell on the rough surface of the bottom cells.Here,we firstly demonstrate an efficient monolithic two-terminal perovskite/CZTSSe tandem solar cell by significantly reducing the surface roughness of the electrochemically deposited CZTSSe bottom cell.The surface roughness(R_(rms))of the CZTSSe thin film could be reduced from 424 to 86 nm by using the potentiostatic mode rather than using the conventional galvanostatic mode,which can be further reduced to 22 nm after the subsequent ion-milling process.The perovskite top cell with a bandgap of 1.65 eV could be prepared using a solution process on the flattened CZTSSe bottom cell,resulting in the efficient perovskite/CZTSSe tandem solar cells.After the current matching between two subcells involving the thickness control of the perovskite layer,the best performing tandem device exhibited a high conversion efficiency of 17.5%without the hysteresis effect.

Textured Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells Achieving Over 30% Efficiency Promoted by 4-Fluorobenzylamine Hydroiodide

Monolithic textured perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells(TSCs)are expected to achieve maximum light capture at the lowest cost,potentially exhibiting the best power conversion efficiency.However,it is challenging to fabricate high-quality perovskite films and preferred crystal orientation on commercially textured silicon substrates with micrometersize pyramids.Here,we introduced a bulky organic molecule(4-fluorobenzylamine hydroiodide(F-PMAI))as a perovskite additive.It is found that F-PMAI can retard the crystallization process of perovskite film through hydrogen bond interaction between F^(−)and FA^(+)and reduce(111)facet surface energy due to enhanced adsorption energy of F-PMAI on the(111)facet.Besides,the bulky molecular is extruded to the bottom and top of perovskite film after crystal growth,which can passivate interface defects through strong interaction between F-PMA+and undercoordinated Pb^(2+)/I^(−).As a result,the additive facilitates the formation of large perovskite grains and(111)preferred orientation with a reduced trap-state density,thereby promoting charge carrier transportation,and enhancing device performance and stability.The perovskite/silicon TSCs achieved a champion efficiency of 30.05%based on a silicon thin film tunneling junction.In addition,the devices exhibit excellent longterm thermal and light stability without encapsulation.This work provides an effective strategy for achieving efficient and stable TSCs.

Efficient PbS quantum dots tandem solar cells through compatible interconnection layer

Lead sulfide quantum dots(PbS QDs) hold unique characteristics, including bandgap tunability, solutionprocessability etc., which make them highly applicable in tandem solar cells(TSCs). In all QD TSCs, its efficiency lags much behind to their single junction counterparts due to the deficient interconnection layer(ICL) and defective subcells. To improve TSCs performance, we developed three kinds of ICL structures based on 1.34 and 0.96 e V PbS QDs subcells. The control, 1,2-ethanedithiol capped PbS QDs(PbS-EDT)/Au/tin dioxide(SnO_(2))/zinc oxide(Zn O), utilized SnO_(2) layer to obtain high surface compactness.However, its energy level mismatch causes incomplete recombination. Bypassing it, the second ICL(PbS-EDT/Au/Zn O) removed SnO_(2) and boosted the power conversion efficiency(PCE) from 5.75% to 8.69%. In the third ICL(PbS-EDT/poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine](PTAA)/Au/Zn O), a thin layer of PTAA can effectively fill fissures on the surface of PbS-EDT and also protect the front cells from solvent penetration. This TSC obtained a PCE of 9.49% with an open circuit voltage of 0.91 V, a short circuit current density of 15.47 m A/cm~2, and a fill factor of 67.7%. To the best of our knowledge, this was the highest PCE achieved by all PbS QD TSCs reported to date. These TSCs maintained stable performance for a long working time under ambient conditions.

4‑Terminal Inorganic Perovskite/Organic Tandem Solar Cells Offer 22%Efficiency

After fast developing of single-junction perovskite solar cells and organic solar cells in the past 10 years,it is becoming harder and harder to improve their power conversion efficiencies.Tandem solar cells are receiving more and more attention because they have much higher theoretical efficiency than single-junction solar cells.Good device performance has been achieved for perovskite/silicon and perovskite/perovskite tandem solar cells,including 2-terminal and 4-terminal structures.However,very few studies have been done about 4-terminal inorganic perovskite/organic tandem solar cells.In this work,semi-transparent inorganic perovskite solar cells and organic solar cells are used to fabricate 4-terminal inorganic perovskite/organic tandem solar cells,achieving a power conversion efficiency of 21.25%for the tandem cells with spin-coated perovskite layer.By using drop-coating instead of spin-coating to make the inorganic perovskite films,4-terminal tandem cells with an efficiency of 22.34%are made.The efficiency is higher than the reported 2-terminal and 4-terminal inorganic perovskite/organic tandem solar cells.In addition,equivalent 2-terminal tandem solar cells were fabricated by connecting the sub-cells in series.The stability of organic solar cells under continuous illumination is improved by using semi-transparent perovskite solar cells as filter.

Recent progress on efficient perovskite/organic tandem solar cells

The concept of tandem solar cells(TSCs) is an effective way to substantially further improve the efficiency of solar cells. The excellent optoelectronic properties and bandgap tunability of perovskites make them promising for constructing efficient TSCs. Currently, TSCs based on perovskite have been extensively studied. Besides, the performance of organic solar cells has been greatly improved recently due to the wider and more efficient spectral utilization. Accordingly, research on perovskite/organic TSCs has garnered significant attention. It has potential application advantages in emerging fields such as wearable devices by virtue of flexibility. In addition, orthogonal solvents can be adopted to realize the separate preparation of subcells with the solution method, which greatly reduces fabrication complexity;moreover, fabrication with less equipment significantly cuts down the device cost. Meanwhile, organics with more adjustability on the optoelectronic properties provide more tuning strategies for high-performance perovskite/organic TSCs. However, comprehensive and timely reviews on the perovskite/organic TSCs are deficient. Therefore, we expect to accomplish a review on this innovative TSCs to facilitate researchers with a deeper understanding of perovskite/organic TSCs. Herein, we firstly review the significant progress of perovskite and organic solar cells. Then, current achievements of perovskite/organic TSCs are summarized and introduced with a particular focus on the device structure design. Finally, we discuss existential challenges and propose effective strategies for future engineering.

Solvents incubatedπ-πstacking in hole transport layer for perovskite-silicon 2-terminal tandem solar cells with 27.21%efficiency

Room temperature sputtered inorganic nickel oxide(NiO_(x))is one of the most promising hole transport layers(HTL)for perovskite-sillion 2-terminal tandem solar cells with the aid of ultrathin and compact organic layers to passivate the surface defects.In this study,the aromatic solvent with different substituent groups was used to regulate the conformation of poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)am ine](PTAA)layer.As a result,the single-junction perovskite solar cell(PSC)gained a power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 20.63%,contributing to a 27.21%efficiency for monolithic perovskite/silicon(double-side polished)2-terminal tandem solar cell,by applying the alkyl aromatic solvent to enhance theπ-πstacking of PTAA molecular chains.The tandem solar cell can maintain 95%initial efficiency after aging over 1000 h.This study provides a universal approach for improving the photovoltaic performance of NiO_(x)/polymer-based perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells and other single junction inverted PSCs.

Efficiency-loss analysis of monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells by identifying the patterns of a dual two-diode model’s current-voltage curves

In this work,we developed a simple and direct circuit model with a dual two-diode model that can be solved by a SPICE numerical simulation to comprehensively describe the monolithic perovskite/crystalline silicon(PVS/c-Si)tandem solar cells.We are able to reveal the effects of different efficiency-loss mechanisms based on the illuminated current density-voltage(J-V),semi-log dark J-V,and local ideality factor(m-V)curves.The effects of the individual efficiency-loss mechanism on the tandem cell’s efficiency are discussed,including the exp(V/VT)and exp(V/2VT)recombination,the whole cell’s and subcell’s shunts,and the Ohmic-contact or Schottky-contact of the intermediate junction.We can also fit a practical J-V curve and find a specific group of parameters by the trial-and-error method.Although the fitted parameters are not a unique solution,they are valuable clues for identifying the efficiency loss with the aid of the cell’s structure and experimental processes.This method can also serve as an open platform for analyzing other tandem solar cells by substituting the corresponding circuit models.In summary,we developed a simple and effective methodology to diagnose the efficiency-loss source of a monolithic PVS/c-Si tandem cell,which is helpful to researchers who wish to adopt the proper approaches to improve their solar cells.

Optical simulation of CsPbI_(3)/TOPCon tandem solar cells with advanced light management

Monolithic perovskite/Si tandem solar cells(TSCs)have experienced rapid development in recent years,demonstrating its potential to exceed the Shockley-Queisser limit of single junction Si solar cells.Unlike typical organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite/silicon heterojunction TSCs,here we propose CsPbI_(3)/TOPCon TSC,which is a promising architecture in consideration of its pleasurable thermal stability and good compatibility with current PERC production lines.The optical performance of CsPbI_(3)/TOPCon TSCs is simulated by the combination of ray-tracing method and transfer matrix method.The light management of the CsPbI_(3)/TOPCon TSC begins with the optimization of the surface texture on Si subcell,indicating that a bifacial inverted pyramid with a small bottom angle of rear-side enables a further minimization of the optical losses.Current matching between the subcells,as well as the parasitic absorption loss from the front transparent conductive oxide,is analyzed and discussed in detail.Finally,an optimized configuration of CsPbI_(3)/TOPCon TSC with a31.78%power conversion efficiency is proposed.This work provides a practical guidance for approaching high-efficiency perovskite/Si TSCs.

Composite electron transport layer for efficient N-I-P type monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells with high open-circuit voltage

Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells(PSTSCs) have exhibited huge technological potential for breaking the Shockley-Queisser limit of single-junction solar cells. The efficiency of P-I-N type PSTSCs has surpassed the single-junction limit, while the performance of N-I-P type PSTSCs is far below the theoretical value. Here, we developed a composite electron transport layer for N-I-P type monolithic PSTSCs with enhanced open-circuit voltage(VOC) and power conversion efficiency(PCE). Lithium chloride(Li Cl) was added into the tin oxide(SnO_(2)) precursor solution, which simultaneously passivated the defects and increased the electron injection driving force at the electron transfer layer(ETL)/perovskite interface.Eventually, we achieved monolithic PSTSCs with an efficiency of 25.42% and V_(OC) of 1.92 V, which is the highest PCE and VOCin N-I-P type perovskite/Si tandem devices. This work on interface engineering for improving the PCE of monolithic PSTSCs may bring a new hot point about perovskite-based tandem devices.

The p recombination layer in tunnel junctions for micromorph tandem solar cells

A new tunnel recombination junction is fabricated for n-i-p type micromorph tandem solar cells. We insert a thin heavily doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon （a-Si：H） p^＋ recombination layer between the n a-Si：H and the p hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon （nc-Si：H） layers to improve the performance of the n-i-p tandem solar cells. The effects of the boron doping gas ratio and the deposition time of the p-a-Si：H recombination layer on the tunnel recombination junctions have been investigated. The current-voltage characteristic of the tunnel recombination junction shows a nearly ohmic characteristic, and the resistance of the tunnel recombination junction can be as low as 1.5 Ω-cm^2 by using the optimized p-a-Si：H recombination layer. We obtain tandem solar cells with open circuit voltage Voc = 1.4 V, which is nearly the sum of the Vocs of the two corresponding single cells, indicating no Voc losses at the tunnel recombination junction.

Perovskite tandem solar cells with improved efficiency and stability

Tandem solar cells represent an attractive technology to overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit of single-junction cells.Recently,wide-bandgap metal halide perovskites are paired with complementary bandgap photovoltaic technologies(such as silicon,CIGS,and low-bandgap perovskites) in tandem architectures,enabling a pathway to achieve industry goals of pushing power-conversion-efficiency(PCE) over 30% at low cost.In this review of perovskite tandems,we aim to present an overview of their recent progress on efficiency and stability enhancement.We start by comparing 2-terminal and 4-terminal tandems,from the perspective of technical and cost barriers.We then focus on 2-terminal tandems and summarize the collective efforts on improving their performance,fabrication processing,and operational stability.We also present the comprehensive progress in perovskite/Si, perovskite/CIGS,and perovskite/perovskite monolithic tandems,alo ng with advanced technology for subcell diagnosis.We highlight that an in-depth understanding of the mobile ion character of perovskites and applying consensus stability tests(such as the extended ISOS protocol for perovskite) under light,heating,and voltage bias are critically important for improving perovskite tandems toward 25-year outdoor operation lifetime.

Optimization of Multi-layer AR Coatings for GaInP/GaAs Tandem Solar Cells

The AR coatings for GaInP/GaAs tandem solar cell are simulated.Results show that,under the condition of the lack of suitable encapsulation, a very low energy loss could be reached on MgF2/ZnS system; in the case of glass encapsulation,the Al2O3/ZrO2 and Al2O3/TiO2 systems are appropriate choice; for AlInP window layer,the thickness of 30 nm is suitable.

Loss Analysis of High-Efficiency Perovskite/Si Tandem Solar Cells for Large Market Applications

The Si tandem solar cells composes of III-V, II-VI, chalcogenide and perovskite top cells and Si bottom cells are very attractive for creation of new markets. The perovskite/Si tandem solar cells are thought to be one of the most promising PV devices because of high-efficiency and low-cost potential. However, efficiencies of perovskite/Si tandem solar cells with an efficiency of 29.8% are lower compared to 39.5% with III-V 3-junction tandem solar cells and 35.9% with III-V/Si 3-junction tandem solar cells. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify and reduce several losses of perovskite/Si tandem solar cells. This paper presents high efficiency potential of perovskite/Si tandem solar cells analyzed by using our analytical procedure and discusses about non-radiative recombination, optical and resistance losses in those tandem solar cells. The perovskite/Si 2-junction tandem solar cells is shown to have efficiency potential of 37.4% as a result of non-radiative recombination loss of 2.3%, optical loss of 2.7% and resistance loss of 3.1%. Although the perovskite/Si 3-junction tandem solar cells are thought to be very attractive because of higher efficiency with an efficiency of more than 42%, decreasing non-radiative recombination loss in wide bandgap perovskite solar cell materials is pointed out to be necessary.

Device simulation of quasi-two-dimensional perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells towards 30%-efficiency

Perovskite/silicon(Si) tandem solar cells have been recognized as the next-generation photovoltaic technology with efficiency over 30% and low cost. However, the intrinsic instability of traditional three-dimensional(3D) hybrid perovskite seriously hinders the lifetimes of tandem devices. In this work, the quasi-two-dimensional(2D)(BA)_(2)(MA)_(n-1)Pbn I_(3n+1)(n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)(where MA denotes methylammonium and BA represents butylammonium), with senior stability and wider bandgap, are first used as an absorber of semitransparent top perovskite solar cells(PSCs) to construct a fourterminal(4T) tandem devices with a bottom Si-heterojunction cell. The device model is established by Silvaco Atlas based on experimental parameters. Simulation results show that in the optimized tandem device, the top cell(n = 4) obtains a power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 17.39% and the Si bottom cell shows a PCE of 11.44%, thus an overall PCE of 28.83%. Furthermore, by introducing a 90-nm lithium fluoride(LiF) anti-reflection layer to reduce the surface reflection loss, the current density(J_(sc)) of the top cell is enhanced from 15.56 m A/cm^(2) to 17.09 m A/cm^(2), the corresponding PCE reaches 19.05%, and the tandem PCE increases to 30.58%. Simultaneously, in the cases of n = 3, 4, and 5, all the tandem PCEs exceed the limiting theoretical efficiency of Si cells. Therefore, the 4T quasi-2D perovskite/Si devices provide a more cost-effective tandem strategy and long-term stability solutions.

Microstructure and lateral conductivity control of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon oxide and its application in a-Si：H/a-SiGe：H tandem solar cells

Phosphorous-doped hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon oxide （n-nc-SiOx：H） films are prepared via radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition （RF-PECVD）. Increasing deposition power during n-nc-SiOx：H film growth process can enhance the formation of nanocrystalline and obtain a uniform microstructure of n-nc-SiOx：H film. In addition, in 20s interval before increasing the deposition power, high density small grains are formed in amorphous SiOx matrix with higher crystalline volume fraction （Ic） and have a lower lateral conductivity. This uniform microstructure indicates that the higher Ic can leads to better vertical conductivity, lower refractive index, wider optical band-gap. It improves the back reflection in a-Si：H/a-SiGe：H tandem solar cells acting as an n-nc-SiOx：H back reflector prepared by the gradient power during deposition. Compared with the sample with SiOx back reflector, with a constant power used in deposition process, the sample with gradient power SiOx back reflector can enhance the total short-circuit current density （Jsc） and the initial efficiency of a-Si：H/a-SiGe：H tandem solar cells by 8.3% and 15.5%, respectively.

Application of AlGaInP with Sb Incorporation in Lattice-Matched 5-Junction Tandem Solar Cells

It is well known that conventional CalnP/GMnAs/Ce three-junction （3J） solar cells are difficult to continue to ascend when the effieiencies reach 32% and 42% under AMO and AM1.5D concentrated, respectively. In AlCaInP/AiGMnAs/CalnAs/CalnNAs/Ce five-junction （5,/） solar cells, the performance of the AlGaInP, Al- CalnAs and CalnNAs sub cell is the key factor for conversion efficiency of the 5J solar cell. We investigate the AlCaInP/AlCaInAs/Ge 3J solar cell. By incorporating surfactant trimthylantimony into the AlGaInP material, the crystal quality of AICalnP is improved and the spectrum absorption range of AICalnAs is extended. The current density of each sub cell exceeds ll.3mA/cm2 as is desired. Then we apply this 3J structure to grow the lattice-matched 5J solar ceil and obtain the short circuit current of 134.96 mA, open circuit voltage of 4399.6 m V, fill factor of 81.7% and conversion efficiency of 29.87%.

Simulations of Heterojunction and Tandem Solar Cells Based on 3C Silicon Carbide

In order to improve the efficiency of solar cells based on cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC), one heterojunction solar cell and two tandem structures were simulated under AM1.5 illumination using SCAPS software. The cells’ performances were studied according to the thickness of the silicon carbide layers. Simulation results allowed to achieve an efficiency of 22.03% with a tandem junction structure using an optimal thickness of 3C-SiC layer.

Ligand engineering of colloid quantum dots and their application in all-inorganic tandem solar cells

How to effectively utilize the energy of the broad spectrum of sunlight is one of the basic problems in the research of tandem solar cells. Due to their size effect, quantum confinement effect and coupling effect, colloidal quantum dots(QDs) exhibit new physical properties that bulk materials don’t possess.CdX(X = Se, S, etc.) and Pb X(X = Se, S, etc.) QDs prepared by hot-injection methods have been widely studied in the areas of photovolitaic devices. However, the surfactants surrounding QDs seriously hinder the charge transport of QDs based solar cells. Therefore, how to fabricate high-performance tandem solar cells via ligands engineering has become a major challenge. In this paper, the latest progress of colloidal QDs in the research of all-inorganic tandem solar cells was summarized. Firstly, the improvement of QDs surface ligands and the optimization of ligands engineering were discussed, and the control of the physical properties of QDs films were realized. From the aspects of colloidal QDs, ligand engineering, and solar cell preparation, the future development direction of colloidal QDs solar cells was proposed, providing technical guidances for the preparation of low-cost and high-efficiency nanocrystalline solar cells.