Single-Crystal Perovskite Based Approaches: Towards stable and high-efficiency solar cells

Metal halide perovskite materials with a general formula of ABX₃ (where “A” and “B” are two cations, often of very different sizes, and “X” is an anion) have become one of the best candidates for a light absorber layer in our photovoltaic community. However, the inherent instability at grain boundaries of the polycrystalline in nature when exposed to moisture and under prolonged illumination is well accepted to cause structural decomposition, especially in these polycrystalline films. Taking these into consideration, a next step to make this new generation of solar cells more robust and available towards commercialization would be enhancing in the material’s (in)stability and developing methods for the fabrication of large-area devices. A change in strategies and approaches currently used in a lab-scale is, therefore, eventually modified. This proposal highlights the fabrication of single-crystal perovskite materials. It implements a related technology to make: (i) stable perovskite precursors, (ii) stable devices, and (iii) the possibility of fabrication of a device in ambient conditions, offering a further step towards large-area prototypes. Comprehensive characterizations and a working mechanism in improving device performance and stability based upon the single crystal approach will be investigated in detail. Armed with these data, this project allows a whole library that will draw a lot of attention in the research community in the field. In addition, the concept developed in this work will inspire a new developer in an industrial sector, particularly in Thailand, to look at how to make a device beyond a lab-scale possibly. Metal halide perovskite materials with a general formula of ABX₃ (where “A” and “B” are two cations, often of very different sizes, and “X” is an anion) have become one of the best candidates for a light absorber layer in our photovoltaic community. However, the inherent instability at grain boundaries of the polycrystalline in nature when exposed to moisture and under prolonged illumination is well accepted to cause structural decomposition, especially in these polycrystalline films. Taking these into consideration, a next step to make this new generation of solar cells more robust and available towards commercialization would be enhancing in the material’s (in)stability and developing methods for the fabrication of large-area devices. A change in strategies and approaches currently used in a lab-scale is, therefore, eventually modified. This proposal highlights the fabrication of single-crystal perovskite materials. It implements a related technology to make: (i) stable perovskite precursors, (ii) stable devices, and (iii) the possibility of fabrication of a device in ambient conditions, offering a further step towards large-area prototypes. Comprehensive characterizations and a working mechanism in improving device performance and stability based upon the single crystal approach will be investigated in detail. Armed with these data, this project allows a whole library that will draw a lot of attention in the research community in the field. In addition, the concept developed in this work will inspire a new developer in an industrial sector, particularly in Thailand, to look at how to make a device beyond a lab-scale possibly.