Role of ultrathin metal films and their derivatives in perovskite solar cells

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PvSCs) have emerged as a disruptive technology in the field of photovoltaics, offering a promising alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells. The unique structural and optoelectronic properties of perovskite materials have enabled remarkable advancements in solar cell efficiency, reaching record-breaking levels within a short span of time. newline newlineUltrathin metal films (UTMFs) are a class of metallic coatings having thicknesses in the range of a few nanometers to a few atomic layers. They have attracted significant attention due to their unique properties, which can be tailored by controlling the film thickness, morphology, and composition. UTMFs have been used in a wide range of applications, including transparent electrodes (TEs), plasmonic devices, and sensors. newline newlineThis study delves into the crucial role of UTMFs and their derivatives in advancing the development and performance of PvSCs. The research begins with creating TEs and charge transport layers based on UTMFs and their derivatives. These innovative materials were then incorporated into photovoltaic devices to unlock their immense potential in enhancing performance. Through precise control of film thickness, morphology, and other factors, ultrathin films have demonstrated the ability to optimize charge extraction, mitigate charge recombination, and ultimately elevate the overall performance of the devices. newline newlineThe incorporation of ultrathin silver (Ag) films within an oxide-metal-oxide (OMO) based architecture has yielded remarkable results, producing TEs that are both highly transparent and highly conductive. These TEs exhibit an average visible transmittance (AVT) exceeding 80%, while maintaining a low sheet resistance below 7 and#8486;/and#9633;. By addressing the challenges of natural oxidation and high residual reflection commonly associated with metal films, the stability of these metallic films has been achieved through the introduction of protective and anti-reflection oxide layers. newline