Upscaling of Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Module

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and modules are driving the energy revolution in the coming photovoltaic field. In the last 10 years, PSCs reached efficiency close to the silicon photovoltaic technology by adopting low-cost solution processes. Despite this, the noble metal (such as gold and silver) used in PSCs as a counter electrode made these devices costly in terms of energy, CO₂ footprint, and materials. Carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) and modules use graphite/carbon-black-based material as the counter electrode. The formulation of low-cost carbon-based inks and pastes makes them suitable for large area coating techniques and hence a solid technology for imminent industrialization. Here, we want to present the upscaling routes of carbon-counter-electrode-based module devices in terms of materials formulation, architectures, and manufacturing processes in order to give a clear vision of the scaling route and encourage the research in this green and sustainable direction.

Keywords: carbon counter electrode; module; perovskite solar cells; upscaling.

Figure 1

(A) Direct/n-i-p and (B) inverted/p-i-n perovskite solar cell.

Figure 2

(A) Stack configuration with Cu metal grids; (B) SEM top view and cross section of FTO/TiO₂/ZrO₂/PVK/Carbon and illustration about perovskite poor filling issue. Figure 2A,B is reprinted with permission from references [70,72], respectively.

Figure 3

(A) Stack configuration; (B) Best JV curve (reverse and forward), shelf life and light-soaking stability for PSCs with P3HT/graphene as HTM using LTCE; (C) Stack; (D) Statistics on photovoltaic parameters and light-soaking test in nitrogen without encapsulation for 3D perovskite and 3D/2D perovskite carbon-based devices. All images are reprinted with permission from reference [76] (Figure 3A,B) and reference [92] (Figure 3C,D).

Figure 4

(A) Blade-coating deposition of carbon material and vacuum/heat treatment for fast drying the film; (B) Solvent exchange used to obtain carbon film; (C) Schematic structure of carbon paste printing with screen-printing technique; (D) Mechanical peeling-off of carbon film and incorporation into the solar device. Figure 4A,B is reproduced from references [98,100], respectively. Figure 4C,D is reproduced from references [102,103], respectively.

Figure 5

(A) JV curve of 2D/3D perovskite with 3% AVAI in 10 × 10 cm² module and module stability test under 1 sun; (B) 7 m² printable perovskite solar panels with HTCE and illustration of ideal product line; (C) JV curves with and without CsBr-modified TiO₂ solar HTCE module and shelf life stability (inset); (D) Picture and JV curve of HTCE solar module with slot-die coating perovskite infiltration; (E) Module stack; (F) JV curve and picture of low-temperature carbon module on 25 cm² substrate using P3HT as HTM. Figure 5A,B is reproduced with the permission from references [63,108], respectively; Figure 5C,D is reproduced from references [110,111], respectively. Figure 5E,F is reproduced with permission from reference [83].