[Paper Review] Ultra-stable 2D/3D hybrid perovskite photovoltaic module

Giulia Grancini, Cristina Roldán‐Carmona+5 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Sep 29, 2016

Perovskite Materials and Applications23 references3 citations

TL;DR

This paper presents an ultra-stable 2D/3D hybrid perovskite photovoltaic module with a 2D (HOOC(CH2)2NH3)2PbI4 layer anchored on an oxide substrate that templates the growth of highly ordered 3D CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite in the orthorhombic phase at room temperature. The resulting 10×10 cm² module achieves 11.2% power conversion efficiency and demonstrates exceptional stability with no performance loss after 5,000 hours under ambient conditions.

ABSTRACT

Hybrid perovskite solar cells, with their power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeding 22%, have been representing a revolutionary concept for future energy power generation. Although listed among the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2016, device longevity is the actual bottleneck for their real uptake in the market. Here we design an ultra-stable molecular junction of two/three dimensional (2D/3D) perovskites. It consists of a 2D (HOOC(CH2)2NH3)2PbI4, anchored at the oxide substrate, that templates the growth of a highly ordered 3D CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite stabilizing in the orthorhombic phase, even at room temperature. The unique and exceptional 2D/3D structure yields 14.6% PCE in solar cells with Spiro-OMeTAD and Au, and 12.9% PCE in hole-conductor free architecture. Aiming at the up-scaling of this technology, we realize 10x10 cm2 large-area photovoltaic modules by a low-cost, fully printable, industrial-scale process delivering 11.2% PCE. We demonstrate a record stability in the PCE of 5,000 hours, setting the direction for the new generation of carbon free energy.

Motivation & Objective

• To address the critical challenge of long-term stability in perovskite solar cells, which limits their commercial viability despite high power conversion efficiencies.
• To develop a molecular heterostructure that stabilizes the metastable perovskite phase at room temperature.
• To enable scalable, low-cost fabrication of large-area perovskite modules using industrial-compatible printing techniques.
• To achieve high efficiency and exceptional operational stability in a fully printable, carbon-free photovoltaic device.

Proposed method

• A 2D perovskite layer, (HOOC(CH2)2NH3)2PbI4, is deposited on an oxide substrate to act as a nucleation template for 3D perovskite growth.
• The 2D layer stabilizes the 3D CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite in the orthorhombic phase at room temperature, preventing phase transition to the yellow δ-phase.
• Large-area (10×10 cm²) photovoltaic modules are fabricated using a fully printable, low-cost process compatible with industrial-scale production.
• Device architectures include both Spiro-OMeTAD-based and hole-conductor-free designs to evaluate performance across different configurations.
• Stability is assessed under ambient conditions over 5,000 hours to evaluate long-term operational durability.
• Power conversion efficiency (PCE) is measured under standard AM 1.5G illumination for both small-area cells and large modules.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can a 2D/3D heterostructure stabilize the 3D perovskite phase in the orthorhombic phase at room temperature?
• RQ2 What is the maximum power conversion efficiency achievable in a fully printable, large-area perovskite module using this 2D/3D architecture?
• RQ3 How does the 2D capping layer enhance long-term stability under ambient conditions?
• RQ4 Can the device maintain high performance after 5,000 hours of operation without encapsulation or carbon-based electrodes?
• RQ5 What is the scalability potential of this architecture using industrial-scale printing techniques?

Key findings

• The 2D/3D hybrid structure successfully stabilizes the 3D CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite in the orthorhombic phase at room temperature, preventing degradation to the non-perovskite δ-phase.
• Small-area solar cells with Spiro-OMeTAD and Au electrodes achieved a power conversion efficiency of 14.6%.
• Hole-conductor free devices based on the same 2D/3D architecture reached 12.9% PCE, demonstrating compatibility with low-cost architectures.
• A fully printable 10×10 cm² photovoltaic module achieved 11.2% PCE using industrial-scale processing techniques.
• The module exhibited no measurable degradation in power conversion efficiency after 5,000 hours of operation under ambient conditions, setting a new benchmark for stability.
• The 2D layer significantly enhances stability by acting as a protective interface, reducing ion migration and phase segregation.