Melt Processing of Operationally-Stable Perovskite Photovoltaic Films and Devices.
Abstract
Flexible, light-weight, durable and high-performance photovoltaic systems (PV) are expected toprovide critical opportunities for combat operations, where mobile and off-grid power can vastlyimprove battlefield effectiveness. Prospective applications include highly portable batterycharging stations, wearable power supplies and remote sensor array operation. The advent of highefficiencyorganic-inorganic perovskite (OIP) PV provides unprecedented opportunity for thisapplication space, if issues with device stability can be resolved. Air, humidity and thermalsensitivity, as well as degradation under illumination (both reversible and irreversible) allcontribute to questionable reliability for current generation devices. While the scientificunderpinnings for OIP stability issues are beginning to form, important empirical factorspromoting stability are also emerging and include: 1) larger grain size within the OIP layer in orderto reduce access of air/moisture to the film interior; 2) more two-dimensional rather than strictlythree-dimensional perovskite crystal lattices in order to enable incorporation of less volatile andmore hydrophobic (i.e., effective for repelling moisture) cations within the framework; 3) controlover interfacial reaction and decomposition pathways at the OIP absorber/electron (or hole)transport layer interfaces; and 4) effective encapsulation to provide a ~first line of defense~ againstprospective detrimental environmental agents (moisture, air and UV light). The proposed researchseeks to demonstrate that a novel film deposition approach~i.e., melt-processing~can be used toboth address the above stability-promoting factors for OIP PV absorber layers, as well as providea deposition platform that offers the prospects of low-cost high-throughput fabrication of ruggedand potentially flexible PV devices. The program seeks to leverage experience with Sn-based OIPmelt-processing and electronic devices to develop similar approaches for analogous Pb-basedsystems, while simultaneously targeting PV-relevant semiconducting characteristics and devicedesigns that are particularly formulated to take advantage of the melt processing approach. Theprogram also targets elucidating design rules that dictate the coupling of crystal structure andmelting/decomposition transitions in OIP semiconductors and therefore to develop a broaderunderstanding of how to tailor melt-processed and stable OIPs for a range of applications beyondlightweight/flexible solar panels, including TFTs, sensors and LEDs for foldable electronics,portable sensor arrays and head-mounted displays.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 03, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712207
Entities
People
- David B Mitzi
Organizations
- Duke University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy