Performance and stability investigations of 2D MXene as additive in scalable perovskite solar cells

• Grant number: 23/12467-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff
• Grantee: Hugo Gajardoni de Lemos
• Supervisor: Eva Unger
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/16470-0 - Development of nanocomposites based on MXenes and intrinsically conducting polymers for HTL of perovskite solar cells, BP.PD

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSC) are one of the most promising emerging photovoltaic technologies, as they can be produced at low cost and with efficiencies greater than 26 %. However, to achieve commercially viable PSCs, better resistance against external environmental agents such as moisture and oxygen; and upscaling issues should be addressed. In addition, the presence of intrinsic and stress-generated ionic defects within the perovskite and adjacent layers strongly affects interfacial properties leading to charge carrier recombination and loss of performance. The promising class of 2D materials consisting of transitional carbide materials (MXenes) has been studied due to its unique properties such as high electrical conductivity, high transmittance, tunable energy levels and versatile processability. In this context, this project proposes to study the application of the 2D MXenes materials to tune charge transport and perovskite active layers of PSCs. Special attention will be given to obtaining layers deposited by scalable techniques such as slot-die coating and inkjet printing. Thus, the influence of chemical and physical properties of MXenes on the PSCs layers features will be assessed in terms of efficiency, stability and processability.