Non-peripherally octaalkyl-substituted nickel phthalocyanines used as non-dopant hole transport materials in perovskite solar cells

This report presents two non-perihperally octaalkyl-substituted nickel phthalocyanines (NiPcs), namely, NiEt₂Pc and NiPr₂Pc, for use as dopant-free hole transport materials in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The length extension of the alkyl chains from ethyl to propyl significantly tunes the NiPcs' energy levels, thus reducing charge carrier recombination at the perovskite/hole transport layer (HTL) interface and leading to higher open-circuit voltage (V_OC) and short-circuit current density (J_SC) observed for the NiPr₂Pc-based PSC. And higher charge carrier mobility, higher thin film crystallinity, and lower surface roughness of the NiPr₂Pc HTL compared with that of the NiEt₂Pc one also lead to higher J_SC and fill factor (FF) observed for the NiPr₂Pc-based device. Consequently, the NiPr₂Pc-based PSC exhibits a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.07% than that of the NiEt₂Pc-based device (8.63%).     

Pentacene as a hole transport material for high performance planar perovskite solar cells

A cost-effective and efficient organic semiconductor pentacene was developed as a hole transport layer (HTL) material to replace classical PEDOT:PSS for planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). As expected, the pentacene based device exhibits power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.90% (J_sc of 19.44 mA/cm², V_oc of 1.07 V, and FF of 77%), comparable to the PEDOT:PSS based device (PCE of 15.65%, J_sc of 18.78 mA/cm², V_oc of 1.07 V, and FF of 77%) under the same experimental conditions. The excellent performance of vacuum deposited pentacene is mainly attributed to the high efficient charge extraction and transfer in device due to the high-quality perovskite film grown on the top of pentacene substrate and a favorable energy-level alignment together with a desired downward band bending formed at the perovskite/pentacene interface. Our research has confirmed that pentacene could be served as a promising HTL material to achieve effective and potentially economical planar type PSCs.     

TiO2/SnO2 electron transport double layers with ultrathin SnO2 for efficient planar perovskite solar cells

The electron transport layer (ETL) plays an important role on the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Developing double ETL is a promising strategy to take the advantages of different ETL materials and avoid their drawbacks. Here, an ultrathin SnO₂ layer of ～ 5 nm deposited by atomic layer deposit (ALD) was used to construct a TiO₂/SnO₂ double ETL, improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 18.02% to 21.13%. The ultrathin SnO₂ layer enhances the electrical conductivity of the double layer ETLs and improves band alignment at the ETL/perovskite interface, promoting charge extraction and transfer. The ultrathin SnO₂ layer also passivates the ETL/perovskite interface, suppressing nonradiative recombination. The double ETL achieves outstanding stability compared with PSCs with TiO₂ only ETL. The PSCs with double ETL retains 85% of its initial PCE after 900 hours illumination. Our work demonstrates the prospects of using ultrathin metal oxide to construct double ETL for high-performance PSCs.     

Novel hole transport layer of nickel oxide composite with carbon for high-performance perovskite solar cells

A depth behavioral understanding for each layer in perovskite solar cells(PSCs)and their interfacial interactions as a whole has been emerged for further enhancement in power conversion efficiency(PCE).Herein,NiO@Carbon was not only simulated as a hole transport layer but also as a counter electrode at the same time in the planar heterojunction based PSCs with the program wx AMPS(analysis of microelectronic and photonic structures)-1D.Simulation results revealed a high dependence of PCE on the effect of band offset between hole transport material(HTM)and perovskite layers.Meanwhile,the valence band offset(?E_v)of NiO-HTM was optimized to be -0.1 to -0.3 eV lower than that of the perovskite layer.Additionally,a barrier cliff was identified to significantly influence the hole extraction at the HTM/absorber interface.Conversely,the ?E_v between the active material and NiO@Carbon-HTM was derived to be -0.15 to 0.15 eV with an enhanced efficiency from 15% to 16%.     

二硫化钨纳米片制备及其钙钛矿太阳能电池空穴传输层应用

开发新型无机空穴传输层材料是钙钛矿电池实现商业应用的重要挑战之一。本文开展了二硫化钨纳米片制备及其钙钛矿太阳能电池空穴传输层应用研究。采用液相超声剥离法成功制备了WS₂纳米片,并将其引入钙钛矿太阳能电池中用作空穴传输层。结果表明,当WS₂纳米片溶液浓度为1 mg/mL时,制备的WS₂纳米片空穴传输层具有较合适的厚度,并且后续在其上生长的钙钛矿活性层成膜质量高、结晶性能好,电池取得6.3%的光电转换效率。结果证实WS₂纳米片可作为新型无机空穴传输层材料用于钙钛矿太阳能电池。     

Numerical simulation of solar cells based on III–V nitride compounds

In this paper, we developed a numerical calculation program, using Turbo Pascal, to determine the current–voltage characteristics of a $\hbox {N}^{+}\hbox {P}$ solar cells in order to find the main parameters influencing the conversion efficiency. We adopted a one-dimensional numerical model for the resolution of the three semiconductor equations, which are: the Poisson’s equation and the two continuity equations of electrons and holes. Our system of equations is written in term of $\varphi ,\, \varphi _{n}$ , and $\varphi _{p}$ , and it’s resolved using the finite difference method. This code enables us to draw the current density versus the voltage for different layer thicknesses, the conversion efficiency versus the minority carrier life time and the spectral response versus the wavelength. In order to compare the conversion efficiency of two different solar cells, we simulated a solar cell based on III–V nitride compounds $(\hbox {In}_\mathrm{x}\hbox {Ga}_{1-\mathrm{x}}\hbox {N})$ and a monocrystalline silicon solar cell.     

Enhancement of spin-orbit torque efficiency by tailoring interfacial spin-orbit coupling in Pt-based magnetic multilayers

We study inserting Co layer thickness-dependent spin transport and spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in the Pt/Co/Py trilayers by spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance. The interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (IPMA) energy density ($K_{\rm s}= 2.7 $ erg/cm$^{2}$, 1 erg = 10$^{-7}$ J), which is dominated by interfacial spin-orbit coupling (ISOC) in the Pt/Co interface, total effective spin-mixing conductance $(G_{\mathrm{eff,tot}}^{\mathrm{\uparrow \downarrow }}=\mathrm{0.42\times }{10}^{15} \mathrm{\Omega }^{-1}\cdot\mathrm{m}^{-2}$) and two-magnon scattering ($\beta_{\mathrm{TMS}}= 0.46 {\mathrm{nm}}^{2}$) are first characterized, and the damping-like torque ($\xi_{\mathrm{DL}}= 0.103$) and field-like torque ($\xi _{\mathrm{FL}}=-0.017$) efficiencies are also calculated quantitatively by varying the thickness of the inserting Co layer. The significant enhancement of $\xi_{\mathrm{DL}}$ and $\xi_{\mathrm{FL}}$ in Pt/Co/Py than Pt/Py bilayer system originates from the interfacial Rashba-Edelstein effect due to the strong ISOC between Co-3d and Pt-5d orbitals at the Pt/Co interface. Additionally, we find a considerable out-of-plane spin polarization SOT, which is ascribed to the spin anomalous Hall effect and possible spin precession effect due to IPMA-induced perpendicular magnetization at the Pt/Co interface. Our results demonstrate that the ISOC of the Pt/Co interface plays a vital role in spin transport and SOTs-generation. Our finds offer an alternative approach to improve the conventional SOTs efficiencies and generate unconventional SOTs with out-of-plane spin polarization to develop low power Pt-based spintronic via tailoring the Pt/FM interface.     

A polarization mismatched p-GaN/p-Al0.25Ga0.75N/p-GaN structure to improve the hole injection for GaN based micro-LED with secondary etched mesa

A low hole injection efficiency for InGaN/GaN micro-light-emitting diodes (μLEDs) has become one of the main bottlenecks affecting the improvement of the external quantum efficiency (EQE) and the optical power. In this work, we propose and fabricate a polarization mismatched p-GaN/p-Al$_{0.25}$Ga$_{0.75}$N/p-GaN structure for 445 nm GaN-based μLEDs with the size of $40 \times 40 $μm$^{2}$, which serves as the hole injection layer. The polarization-induced electric field in the p-GaN/p-Al$_{0.25}$Ga$_{0.75}$N/p-GaN structure provides holes with more energy and can facilitate the non-equilibrium holes to transport into the active region for radiative recombination. Meanwhile, a secondary etched mesa for μLEDs is also designed, which can effectively keep the holes apart from the defected region of the mesa sidewalls, and the surface nonradiative recombination can be suppressed. Therefore, the proposed μLED with the secondary etched mesa and the p-GaN/p-Al$_{0.25}$Ga$_{0.75}$N/p-GaN structure has the enhanced EQE and the improved optical power density when compared with the μLED without such designs.     

平面异质结有机-无机杂化钙钛矿太阳电池研究进展

高效低成本太阳电池的研发是太阳能光伏技术大规模推广应用的关键. 近年来兴起的有机- 无机杂化钙钛矿(以下简称钙钛矿)太阳电池因具有光电能量转换效率高、制备工艺简单等优点, 引起了学术界和产业界的广泛关注, 具有广阔的发展前景. 其中平面异质结钙钛矿太阳电池因具有结构简单, 可低温制备等诸多优点, 成为目前研究的一个重要方向. 平面异质结钙钛矿太阳电池分为n-i-p型和p-i-n型两种结构. 其中钙钛矿分别与电子传输层和空穴传输层形成两个界面, 在这两个界面上实现电子和空穴的快速分离. 电子传输层和空穴传输层分别为电子和空穴提供了独立的输运通道. 平面异质结结构有利于钙钛矿太阳电池中电子和空穴的分离、传输和收集. 此外, 该结构不需要高温烧结的多孔结构氧化物骨架, 扩大了电子和空穴传输材料的选择范围. 可以根据钙钛矿材料的能带分布及载流子传输特性, 来选择能级和载流子传输速率更为匹配的传输材料. 本文对钙钛矿的材料特性, 平面异质结结构的由来及发展进行了简要的概述. 其中重点介绍了平面异质结钙钛矿太阳电池的结构特征、工作机理、钙钛矿/电荷传输层的界面特性, 以及电池性能的优化, 包括钙钛矿薄膜制备、空穴和电子传输层的优化等. 最后对钙钛矿电池的发展前景及存在问题进行了阐述, 为今后高效、稳定钙钛矿太阳电池的研究提供参考.     

表面等离子激元与F-P共振耦合平衡钙钛矿太阳能电池有源层内载流子产生速率

为提高有机-无机杂化钙钛矿太阳能电池（PSCs）光吸收效率、平衡有源层中载流子产生速率,将周期性纳米光栅结构引入到PSCs器件结构中。分析了光栅周期、光栅高度和有源层厚度对表面等离子激元（SPPs）与法布里-珀罗（F-P）共振耦合模式的影响。通过改变光栅周期,实现了SPPs与F-P共振耦合波长范围与钙钛矿材料的弱吸收光谱区域相重合,同时光栅高度的增加可以增大耦合模式的光谱宽度。SPPs与F-P共振耦合模式实现了金属电极与电子传输层（ETL）界面处的局域电场增强。结果表明:场增强效应扩展到有源区,有效提高了PSCs有源层远入射光侧在570~800 nm波长范围内的光吸收,进而提高了有源层远入射光区域的载流子产生速率。当光栅周期为250 nm、光栅高度为50 nm、源层厚度为300 nm时,PSCs在太阳光弱吸收光谱区域内的本征吸收提高了~12%,有源层远入射光侧载流子产生速率提高了~41%。     

Sub-stochiometric MoOx by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering as hole-selective passivating contacts for silicon heterojunction solar cells

The silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cell has long been considered as one of the most promising candidates for the next-generation PV market. Transition metal oxides (TMOs) show good carrier selectivity when combined with c-Si solar cells. This has led to the rapid demonstration of the remarkable potential of TMOs (especially MoO_x) with high work function to replace the p-type a-Si:H emitting layer. MoO_x can induce a strong inversion layer on the interface of n-type c-Si, which is beneficial to the extraction and conduction of holes. In this paper, the radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering is used to deposit MoO_x films. The optical, electrical and structural properties of MoO_x films are measured and analyzed, with focus on the inherent compositions and work function. Then the MoO_x films are applied into SHJ solar cells. When the MoO_x works as a buffer layer between ITO/p-a-Si:H interface in the reference SHJ solar cell, a conversion efficiency of 19.1% can be obtained. When the MoO_x is used as a hole transport layer (HTL), the device indicates a desirable conversion efficiency of 17.5%. To the best of our knowledge, this current efficiency is the highest one for the MoO_x film as HTL by RF sputtering.     

Numerical investigations on the current conduction in bilayer organic light—emitting devices with ohmic injection of charge carriers

A numerical model for bilayer organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) has been developed on the basis of trappedcharge limited conduction. The dependences of the current density on the operation voltage, the thickness andtrap properties of the hole transport layer (HTL) and emission layer (EML) in bilayer OLEDs of the structure an-ode/HTL/EML/cathode have been numerically investigated. It has been found that, for given values of reduced trapdepth, total trap density, and carrier mobility of HTL and EML, there exists an optimum thickness ratio of HTL tothe sum of HTL and EML, by which a maximal current density, and hence maximal quantum efficiency and luminance,can be achieved. The current density decreases quickly with the mean trap density, and decreases nearly exponentiallywith the mean reduced trap depth.     

Antimony Selenide Thin Film Solar Cells with an Electron Transport Layer of Alq_3

We fabricated Sb₂ Se₃ thin film solar cells using tris(8-hydroxy-quinolinato) aluminum(Alq₃) as an electron transport layer by vacuum thermal evaporation.Another small organic molecule of N,N’-bis(naphthalen-1-yl)-N,N’-bis(phenyl)benzidine(NPB) was used as a hole transport layer.We took ITO/NPB/Sb₂Se₃/Alq₃/Al as the device architecture.An open circuit voltage(V_oc) of 0.37 V,a short circuit current density(J_sc...     

锡基钙钛矿太阳能电池载流子传输层的探讨

锡基钙钛矿太阳能电池可避免铅元素对环境带来的污染,近年来已成为光伏领域的研究热点.本文以SCAPS-1D太阳能电池数值模拟软件为平台,对不同电子传输层和不同空穴传输层的锡基钙钛矿太阳能电池器件的性能进行数值仿真对比,从理论上分析不同载流子传输层的锡基钙钛矿太阳能电池的性能差异.结果显示,载流子传输层与钙钛矿层的能带对齐...     

Ferroelectric Ba0.75Sr0.25TiO3 tunable charge transfer in perovskite devices

Interfacial charge recombination is a main issue causing the efficiency loss of the perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, ferroelectric Ba_0.75Sr_0.25TiO₃ (BST) is introduced as a polarization tunable layer to promote the interfacial charge transfer of the PSCs. The coexistence of ferroelectric polarization and charge carriers in BST is confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Experimental characterization demonstrates the polarization reversal and the existence of domain in BST film. The BST film conductivity is tested as 2.98×10^-4 S/cm, which is comparable to the TiO₂ being used as the electron transporting layer (ETL) in PSCs. The calculations results prove that BST can be introduced into the PSCs and the interfacial charge transfer can be tuned by ferroelectric polarization. Thus, we fabricated the BST-based PSCs with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.05% after poling.     

Electron transport layer engineering with rubidium chloride alkali halide to boost the performance of perovskite absorber layer

The mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on titanium oxide (TiO₂) with a certified 25.2% efficiency are the forefront devices in the PSCs field. Hence, it can conclude the mesoporous titanium oxide (mp-TiO₂) is one of the most promising candidates to use as an electron transport layer (ETL) in PSCs. Improving the conductivity of mp-TiO₂ can consider as a simple route to motivate the electron extraction ability of this layer and increase the efficiency of PSCs. Herein, rubidium chloride (RbCl) was introduced as an additive source to boost the optoelectronic properties of mp-TiO₂ ETL. It was observed through ETL modification with RbCl, the optical transmittance of mp-TiO₂ remains constant but increases its electro-conductivity. Results showed that the morphology and crystalline properties of the perovskite layer with a modified ETL substrate is improved. It indicates a perovskite layer with enlarger grains and lower lead iodide (PbI₂) surplus. Altogether, ETL modification brings a champion efficiency of 11.10% for hole transport layer (HTL)-free PSCs higher than that of 8.65% for the HTL-free PSCs based on pristine ETL. Besides, Modified PSCs compared to pristine PSCs showed higher stability response as a result of lower grain boundaries in the modified perovskite layer.     

Analysis of the generation mechanism of the S-shaped J—V curves of MoS2/Si-based solar cells

Amorphous-microcrystalline MoS$_{2}$ thin films are fabricated using the sol-gel method to produce MoS$_{2}$/Si-based solar cells. The generation mechanisms of the S-shaped current density-voltage ($J$-$V$) curves of the solar cells are analyzed. To improve the performance of the solar cells and address the problem of the S-shaped $J$-$V$ curve, a MoS$_{2}$ film and a p$^+$ layer are introduced into the front and back interfaces of the solar cell, respectively, which leads to the formation of a p-n junction between the p-Si and the MoS$_{2}$ film as well as ohmic contacts between the MoS$_{2}$ film and the ITO, improving the S-shaped $J$-$V$ curve. As a result of the high doping characteristics and the high work function of the p$^+$ layer, a high-low junction is formed between the p$^+$ and p layers along with ohmic contacts between the p$^+$ layer and the Ag electrode. Consequently, the S-shaped $J$-$V$ curve is eliminated, and a significantly higher current density is achieved at a high voltage. The device exhibits ideal p-n junction rectification characteristics and achieves a high power-conversion efficiency (CE) of 7.55%. The findings of this study may improve the application of MoS$_{2}$ thin films in silicon-based solar cells, which are expected to be widely used in various silicon-based electronic and optical devices.     

Investigation of transport properties of perovskite single crystals by pulsed and DC bias transient current technique

Time-of-flight (ToF) transient current method is an important technique to study the transport characteristics of semiconductors. Here, both the direct current (DC) and pulsed bias ToF transient current method are employed to investigate the transport properties and electric field distribution inside the MAPbI$_{3}$ single crystal detector. Owing to the almost homogeneous electric field built inside the detector during pulsed bias ToF measurement, the free hole mobility can be directly calculated to be about 22 cm$^{2}\cdot$V$^{-1}\cdot$s$^{-1}$, and the hole lifetime is around 6.5 μs-17.5 μs. Hence, the mobility-lifetime product can be derived to be $1.4\times 10^{-4}$ cm$^{2}\cdot$V$^{-1}$-$3.9\times 10^{-4}$ cm$^{2}\cdot$V$^{-1}$. The transit time measured under the DC bias deviates with increasing voltage compared with that under the pulsed bias, which arises mainly from the inhomogeneous electric field distribution inside the perovskite. The positive space charge density can then be deduced to increase from 3.1$\times10^{10}$ cm$^{-3}$ to 6.89$\times 10^{10}$ cm$^{-3}$ in a bias range of 50 V-150 V. The ToF measurement can provide us with a facile way to accurately measure the transport properties of the perovskite single crystals, and is also helpful in obtaining a rough picture of the internal electric field distribution.     

Surface modulation of halide perovskite films for efficient and stable solar cells

As the main distribution place of deep-level defects and the entrance of water, the interface is critical to determining both the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Suitable interface design can dramatically passivate interface defects and optimize energy level alignment for suppressing the nonradiative recombination and effectively extracting the photogenerated carriers towards higher PCE. Meanwhile, a proper interface design can also block the interface diffusion of ions for high operational stability. Therefore, interface modification is of great significance to make the PSCs more efficient and stable. Upon optimized material choices, the three-dimensional halide perovskite graded junction layer, low-dimensional halide perovskite interface layer and organic salt passivation layer have been constructed on perovskite films for superior PSCs, yet a systematic review of them is missing. Thus, a guide and summary of recent advances in modulating the perovskite films interface is necessary for the further development of more efficient interface modification.     

n-type ZnS used as electron transport material in organic light-emitting diodes

This paper reports on the n-type ZnS used as electron transport layer for the organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The naphthyl-substituted benzidine derivative (NPB) and tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminium (AlqOLEDs n型ZnS 电子运输层 亮度 效率 功能发光二极管OLEDs, n-type ZnS, electron transport layer, luminance, efficiencyProject supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 60476005), the Scientific Research Foundation for Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, the State Education Ministry, the State Key Program for Basic Research of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No 2003CB314707), and the Key Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 50532090).2005-11-211/9/2006 12:00:00 AMThis paper reports on the n-type ZnS used as electron transport layer for the organic light-emitting diodes （OLEDs）. The naphthyl-substituted benzidine derivative （NPB） and tris （8-hydroxyquinoline） aluminium （Alq3） are used as the hole transport layer and the emitting layer respectively. The insertion of the n-type ZnS layer enhances the electron injection in the OLEDs. The study was carried out on OLEDs of structures： indium-tin-oxide （ITO）/NPB/Alq3/ZnS/LiF/AL, ITO/NPB/Alq3/LiF/AL and ITO/NPB/Alq3/AL. The luminance and efficiency of the device containing this electron transport layer are increased significantly over those obtained from conventional devices due to better carrier balance.