lead iodide residue on the performance of perovskite solar cells
Solar energy, as a clean source of energy, is currently one of the best solutions to the energy crisis. Perovskite solar cells are a popular area of research. Lead iodide is an important material for new perovskite batteries.
Chongqing Yuhan Technology Co., Ltd. offers ultra-pure lead iodide. This material has good solubility and leaves less residue. These qualities can enhance the performance of perovskite solar cell devices.
The energy crisis is a major challenge for humanity in the 21st century. It is also a barrier to economic development. It is a question that all humanity needs to consider.
Currently the energy we use is mainly non-renewable, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Data shows that fossil fuels make up 74% of the world’s energy use. This includes oil and natural gas. These resources may run out in the next 40 to 60 years.
The outlook for solid fuels like coal is also not good. Coal may last no more than 200 years.
Finding and using new renewable energy sources to address the energy crisis is a top priority for humanity. Burning fossil fuels creates greenhouse gases and other harmful substances that threaten our survival. This will also increasingly limit the range and quality of human survival.
- Renewable and Clean Energy—Solar Energy
Solar energy accounts for more than 99% of the total energy on Earth. Due to its universality, harmlessness, and longevity, it is an inexhaustible and clean energy source.
It is one of the most hopeful energy sources for future human society, also one of the easiest energies for people to obtain and use.Solar energy will have an important place in the future energy structure. It will also help solve the energy crisis.
The main way to use solar energy is to change it into electrical energy. This process needs devices for conversion and storage. Solar cells are devices that convert sunlight into energy. Scientists and engineers have always studied and value them.
Solar cells require only a one-time investment and can be used forever. Unlike thermal and nuclear power, solar cells do not pollute the environment. They also have no storage limits.
Manufacturers can produce solar cells in various sizes, and people can use them accordingly. They can range from large power stations with millions of kilowatts to small systems for one person or household. This is unmatchable by other power sources at present.
Solar cells convert solar energy from space into electrical energy through light-absorbing materials.
- The requirements for solar cells
To absorb light energy from the sun, the material’s bandgap should not be too wide. This means the material can capture a broad range of light wavelengths.
The light-absorbing material should have high quantum efficiency. This means it can effectively generate electrons after absorbing sunlight. As a result, it has a high photoelectric conversion efficiency. This efficiency is an important performance measure for solar cells.
The materials for solar cells should be easy to find. The process to make them should be standard and not pollute the air.
The performance of solar cells should be stable. You can use both organic and inorganic materials to make them. These materials are also good for packaging and large-scale production.
- Perovskite solar cells
Perovskite solar cells use organic metal trihalides called CH3NH3PbX3 (where X can be Cl, Br, or I). These materials match the solar spectrum and have good light absorption properties.
The light-absorbing material CH3NH3PbX3 (X=Cl, Br, I) has a typical ABX3 cubic crystal structure. In this structure, A stands for organic amine cations like CH3NH3+. These cations sit in the center of the cubic octahedron. B represents metal cations that can form an octahedron. Examples of B include Pb+, Nb+, Ti4+, and Fe³+. X represents anions that can bond with B to create an octahedron. These anions can be Cl, Br, or I.
In this class of hybrid perovskite materials, halogen octahedra connect at the top. This forms a stable three-dimensional network structure. Researchers can synthesize perovskite film materials using co-evaporation and low-cost solution processing methods.
Perovskite film solar cells have higher open-circuit voltage than crystalline silicon solar cells. You can also make them on flexible materials.
Perovskite solar cells have four key parameters. These are short-circuit current density (Isc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF), and photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE).
- The Impact of Lead Iodide (PbI2) Residue
The quality of lead iodide films is particularly important for the final performance of the device.
The quality of the perovskite film and the remaining lead iodide will affect the device’s performance. This includes the open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current density. So, controlling the shape of lead iodide will improve the following reaction. This will increase the efficiency of perovskite solar cells.
The impact of lead iodide (PbI2) residue on the performance of perovskite solar cells is multifaceted, as follows:
Hysteresis effect and reduced stability: Highly active lead iodide residues can cause a significant hysteresis effect and reduce device stability. Excessive PbI2 residues can cause electronic insulation at grain boundaries and deteriorate device performance.
Reduced open-circuit voltage: With continuous light and heat, lead iodide breaks down into metallic lead. This process creates a non-radiative recombination center. As a result, the open-circuit voltage of the battery drops significantly.
Elimination of unstable residual lead iodide near the buried interface: By pre-embedding mixed A-cation halides, we can change the unstable PbI2 residues near the buried interface. This process turns them into more stable 3D perovskites, which improves stability.
- Summary
In summary, lead iodide residues affect how well perovskite solar cells work. Too much residue can cause lower performance and less stability. So, careful control and regulation of lead iodide residues are important for making efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.
Chongqing Yuhan Technology Co., Ltd. offers ultra-pure lead iodide. It dissolves and disperses well in solvents, leaving almost no residue. This improves the size and surface quality of the perovskite film after it is made. This, in turn, boosts the device’s performance.
