Effects of Nb2CTx and Nb4CTx MXene Incorporation on the Electrical Behavior of Perovskite Solar Cells

• Grant number: 24/23751-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff
• Grantee: Gabriel Dias Trevisan
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/12356-8 - Stability optimization of perovskite solar cells, AP.TEM

Abstract

Environmental challenges and the finite nature of fossil fuels have made the transition togreen and sustainable energy sources a critical priority. Solar energy offers a promisingsolution by addressing environmental concerns and meeting the energy demands of moderncivilization, even if only a small fraction of its vast potential is harnessed. Perovskite solarcells (PSCs) have garnered significant attention in recent decades due to their highexperimental power conversion efficiency (PCE) of approximately 26.7%, which is close tothe theoretical maximum PCE of 31% for single-junction perovskite solar cells. However, theinstability of PSCs remains a significant barrier to their commercialization. The primarycauses of instability in PSCs, include humidity, ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, and hightemperature. The incorporation of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides andnitrides, known as MXenes, presents a promising solution to overcoming these challenges.MXene is regarded as one of the most interesting materials that ever discovered, offeringseveral advantages, including high optical transmittance, excellent metallic conductivity, atunable work function, making it attractive for PSCs. In this project, MXenes (Nb¿CT¿ andNb¿C¿T¿) will be synthesized, optimized, and functionalized. Then, it will be incorporatedinto the bulk of the active layer to enhance the stability and efficiency of PSCs. Theperformance of the devices will be characterized by electrical techniques like impedancespectroscopy and photo-CELIV.