Exploring charge carrier processes in perovskite solar cells using small perturbation methods

• Grant number: 23/16485-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: André Sarto Polo
• Grantee: Lucas Polimante Souto
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , 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

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) stand out as a promising emerging technology for the future of renewable energy. In just over a decade, these devices have already surpassed 26% energy conversion efficiency, and their low cost and ease of production increasingly attract attention to this technology. However, there is still a long way to go to approach the Shockley-Queisser theoretical limit of 31%. The difference between the theoretical and experimental limits is due to the fact that PSCs undergo electronic and electrochemical processes such as recombination, movement, diffusion, and accumulation of charge carriers at the interfaces of these devices, resulting in conversion efficiency losses and impacting device stability. The use of small perturbation techniques such as Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Intensity Modulated Photovoltage Spectroscopy (IMVS), and Intensity Modulated Photocurrent Spectroscopy (IMPS) stands out as powerful methods to extract information about these processes. In this study, we will use small perturbation techniques such as EIS, IMVS, and IMPS to understand the electronic and electrochemical processes in PSCs, modeling the results through equivalent circuits. This approach will enable the investigation and quantification of mechanisms leading to efficiency losses and degradation of PSCs. The literature has also investigated the use of 2D/3D perovskite interfaces to increase the durability of devices, and we will also investigate how the use of these materials modifies the electronic and electrochemical processes of PSCs, consequently correlating with the performance of PSCs. Finally, the use of different ion spacers in 2D/3D perovskites will be proposed to evaluate the impact of different molecular structures on the durability of devices.