Development of Nb2O5 thin film for application as electron transport layer in perovskite solar cells

• Grant number: 19/15041-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2019
• End date: September 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff
• Grantee: Pedro Gabriel da Silva Bezerra
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Nowadays perovskite solar cells are one of the most promising technologies for the generation of clean and renewable energy due to its high efficiency in convert solar to electric energy, more than 23%. Despite their high efficiency, these devices show low stability due to its components, for instance, the TiO2 electron transport layer. TiO2 has been shown to be prejudicial to the device due to its photocatalytic activity on the presence of UV light, that degrades the perovskite films. Niobium pentoxide has similar properties to TiO2, been a very promising material to be used as electron transport layer in perovskite solar cells replacing TiO2. Nb2O5 has been shown to increase the stability of the cells under UV light due to its higher stability. Therefore, this research project aims the development of Nb2O5 thin films prepared by chemical solutions and deposited by spin coating for application as electron conductive film in perovskite solar cells.