Perovskite solar cells from easy, cheap and green sources: a synergistic approach for the synthesis of new organic hole transport materials and the use of more environmental-friendly solvents

• Grant number: 20/04406-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: October 01, 2020
• End date: October 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ana Flávia Nogueira
• Grantee: Lucas Scalon
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Química (IQ)
• Associated research grant: 17/11986-5 - Generation and storage of New Energy: bringing technological development for the country, AP.PCPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/12104-1 - Unveiling the role of chiral organic spacers on the structural, photophysical, and electronic properties of 2D and 2D/3D perovskite structures, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

Solar energy is in the spotlight among the alternative and sustainable sources that can supply the rising energy demand. Among them, Perovskite Solar Cells (PSC) have been gain attention. Part of this interest is due to the historical increase in terms of power conversion efficiency, changing from 3%, in 2009, for more than 25% in 2019. Such a value is bigger than the obtained for the cells based on polycrystalline silicon and is close to the based on monocrystalline one. Even with this encouraging scenario, the commercialization of PSC is still not feasible. The high fabrication cost and the instability under environmental conditions are some of the main problems. Both of them can be associated with the use of Spiro-OMeTAD (2,22,7,72-tetrakis-(N,N-di-4-methoxyphenylamino)-9,92-spirobifluorene) as Hole Transport Material (HTM). This molecule represents almost 30% of the overall cost of the device and requires the use of hygroscopic, and thermally-unstable dopant agents to make it properly to the use in PSC. Besides that, the use of toxic solvents (for instance dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dichloromethane) during the preparation of the perovskite layer is another problem to circumvent. In addition to all these issues, the presence of defects on the perovskite-HTM interface leads to charge accumulation and non-radiative recombination. Both are related to limit the efficiency of PSC, and result in hysteresis in the current density versus voltage curve. In these perspectives, it is urgent researches focused on the reduction of the cost and the environmental impact of PSC production, as well as in the manipulation of the interfaces aiming to reduce the defects. Thus, this Ph.D. project aims to synthesize functional organic molecules, that can be used either as a hole transport material - as an alternative for the Spiro-OMeTAD - or as a passivating molecule on HTM-perovskite interface. In parallel to that, it will be studied the use and effect of environmental-friendly solvents in the preparation and processing of perovskite active layer. This synergistic approach, that includes some of the main challenges regarding PSCs can, in the future, play an important role in the industrial manufacturing of these devices. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SCALON, LUCAS; VAYNZOF, YANA; NOGUEIRA, ANA FLAVIA; OLIVEIRA, CAIO C.. How organic chemistry can affect perovskite photovoltaics. CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE, v. 4, n. 5, p. 21-pg., 2023-05-17. (17/11631-2, 21/12104-1, 18/01669-5, 18/21401-7, 20/04406-5, 14/25770-6)

SCALON, LUCAS; SZOSTAK, RODRIGO; ARAUJO, FRANCINEIDE L.; ADRIANI, KARLA F.; SILVEIRA, JULIAN F. R., V; OLIVEIRA, WILLIAN X. C.; DA SILVA, JUAREZ L. F.; OLIVEIRA, CAIO C.; NOGUEIRA, ANA FLAVIA. Improving the Stability and Efficiency of Perovskite Solar Cells by a Bidentate Anilinium Salt. JACS AU, v. 2, n. 6, p. 7-pg., 2022-06-27. (18/01669-5, 17/11631-2, 20/04406-5, 20/14451-8, 17/12582-5, 19/08257-7, 18/21401-7, 18/11152-0, 14/25770-6)

SCALON, LUCAS; FREITAS, FLAVIO SANTOS; MARQUES, FRANCISCO DAS CHAGAS; NOGUEIRA, ANA FLAVIA. Tiny spots to light the future: advances in synthesis, properties, and application of perovskite nanocrystals in solar cells. NANOSCALE, v. 15, n. 3, p. 35-pg., 2022-12-20. (17/11631-2, 18/21401-7, 20/04406-5)

SCALON, LUCAS; BRUNNER, JULIUS; GUAITA, MARIA GABRIELLA DETONE; SZOSTAK, RODRIGO; ALBALADEJO-SIGUAN, MIGUEL; KODALLE, TIM; GUERRERO-LEON, L. ANDRES; SUTTER-FELLA, CAROLIN M.; OLIVEIRA, CAIO C.; VAYNZOF, YANA; et al. Tuning Phase Purity in Chiral 2D Perovskites. ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS, v. N/A, p. 13-pg., 2023-07-27. (21/12104-1, 21/01357-6, 18/21401-7, 20/04406-5, 14/25770-6)