Publication date: 17th February 2025
The integration of metal halide perovskites (MHPs) into perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells offers significant potential for achieving high efficiencies (>33%) while utilizing low-cost materials.1,2 A critical challenge in realizing this potential is determining the optimal fabrication technology for scalable, high-throughput and cost-effective production. Among the various deposition methods, physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques, remain relatively underexplored in the context of perovskite top cell fabrication.3-7
In this work, we explore the use of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) as a single-source PVD technique to form the inorganic scaffold in the hybrid sequential method, a widely adopted approach for fabricating perovskite top cells. A PbI2:CsBr layer, with a 10:1 ratio, is deposited at an accelerated rate of ~ 55 nm/min, five times faster than traditional PVD techniques.3-7 The deposition is followed by spin-coating an organic cation solution containing formamidinium iodide (FAI) and bromide (FABr) in ethanol, and annealing to form CsxFA1-xPb(BryI1-y)3 absorbers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the stoichiometric transfer of the scaffold compounds, while X-ray diffraction reveals the polycrystalline nature of the films. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrates a porous morphology that facilitates efficient solution diffusion and complete conversion. As a result, the perovskite films exhibit a polycrystalline α-phase structure with tuneable bandgaps, which can be modulated by the Br ratio in the precursor solution. Preliminary single-junction solar cells achieve efficiencies of ~18%, with tandem devices under further development. With the added benefits of bandgap tuning, precise thickness control, and conformal coverage, this method shows promise for achieving efficient current matching conditions in monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells.
In conclusion, this work highlights the potential of PLD to advance PVD-based fabrication methods for perovskite-based monolithic tandem solar cells, offering high deposition rates, tuneable bandgaps, and precise control over thickness and coverage. Additionally, we address challenges related to achieving very high deposition rates of >100 nm/min, contributing to the development of scalable vapor deposition techniques for perovskite top cell fabrication.
References:
[1] Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart (https://www.nrel.gov/pv/cell-efficiency.html) [Access: 18th May 2024]
[2] S. De Wolf, E. Aydin, Tandems have the power, Science 381, 30-31 (2023)
[3] T. Abzieher, et al., Energy Environ. Sci. 17, 1645-1663 (2024)
[4] M. Roß, et al., Adv. Energ. Mater. 35, 11, 2101460 (2021)
[5] F. Sahli, et al., Nature Mater. 17, 820–826 (2018)
[6] T. Soto Montero, W. Soltanpoor, M. Morales-Masis, APL Matter. 8, 110903 (2020)
[7] T. Soto-Montero, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater, 2300588 (2023)
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