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Iranian researchers have found new ways to design perovskite quantum dot solar cells through a series of simulations. Specifically, they investigated how perovskite absorbers can be calibrated to improve their electro-optical properties.
Quantum dots, tiny semiconductor particles that can carry a charge, made from various materials, have been investigated as potential materials for solar cells. Those based on perovskites have been especially attractive for researchers working in photovoltaics, as they have already demonstrated efficiencies greater than 16%.
With this in mind, a group of scientists led by the Islamic Azad University of Iran have carried out a series of simulations to investigate the potential of perovskite colloidal quantum dot (PQD) solar cells to achieve efficiencies higher than those previously reported. the date. Specifically, they aimed to evaluate whether the properties of the perovskite adsorbent could be varied and modulated to improve cell performance.
The team of researchers performed a series of simulations of a PQD cell with an efficiency of 14.61% based on fully inorganic cesium-lead iodide (CsPbI3) perovskite, also known as black perovskite.
They started from a cell configuration based on an indium tin oxide substrate, an electron transport layer (ETL) based on tin(IV) oxide (SnO2), a CsPbI3 absorber mixed with a methyl ester layer of the phenyl-C61-butyric acid (PCBM) and a CsPbI3 absorber mixed with the QDs. It also included a precursor film made of PTB polymer, molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) and gold (Au).
In the simulations, the research group modified the properties of CsPbI3 taking into account the proportion of material, the deposition processes used, a series of different treatments, the use of nanoparticles such as graphene and the use of stacked deposition with different materials sandwich.
The analysis showed that the absorbing layer materials must have an energetic bandgap of between 1 eV and 1.7 eV, as well as an affinity for electrons between 3.7 eV and 4 eV. The effect of electron and hole mobility on cell performance was also evaluated and hole mobility was found to have a significant impact.
“To make high-efficiency QD solar cells, we need an absorbent layer with high mobility,” the academics said, adding that the ideal thickness of perovskite absorbers should be between 100 nm and 350 nm.
An optimized version of the solar cell analyzed showed a potential energy conversion efficiency of 29.88%. They stated that their results could help other researchers work with CsPbI3 materials to achieve highly efficient, stable, large-scale and flexible PQD solar cells. |
