Tailoring carrier dynamics in perovskite solar cells via precise dimension and architecture control and interfacial positioning of plasmonic nanoparticles. Issue 6 (3rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cui, Xun; Chen, Yihuang; Zhang, Meng; Harn, Yeu Wei; Qi, Jiabin; Gao, Likun; Wang, Zhong Lin; Huang, Jinsong; Yang, Yingkui; Lin, Zhiqun
• Is Part Of: Energy & environmental science. Volume 13:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 1743
• Page End: 1752
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03
• Subjects: Energy conversion -- Periodicals; Fuel switching -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environmental chemistry -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ee03937f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-5692

Abstract

Abstract : The judicious positioning of rationally designed monodisperse plasmonic NPs in the ETL affords effective tailoring of the carrier dynamics of PSCs. Abstract : Placing plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) in close proximity to semiconductor nanostructures renders effective tuning of the optoelectronic properties of semiconductors through the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-induced enhancement of light absorption and/or promotion of carrier transport. Herein, we report on, for the first time, the scrutiny of carrier dynamics of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) via sandwiching monodisperse plasmonic/dielectric core/shell NPs with systematically varied dielectric shell thickness yet fixed plasmonic core diameter within an electron transport layer (ETL). Specifically, a set of Au NPs with precisely controlled dimensions ( i.e., fixed Au core diameter and tunable SiO2 shell thickness) and architectures (plain Au NPs and plasmonic/dielectric Au/SiO2 core/shell NPs) are first crafted by capitalizing on the star-like block copolymer nanoreactor strategy. Subsequently, these monodisperse NPs are sandwiched between the two consecutive TiO2 ETLs. Intriguingly, there exists a critical dielectric SiO2 shell thickness, below which hot electrons from the Au core are readily injected to TiO2 ( i.e., hot electron transfer (HET)); this promotes local electron mobility in the TiO2 ETL, leading to improved charge transport and increased short-circuit current density ( J sc ). It is also notable that the HET effect moves up the Fermi level of TiO2, resulting in an enhanced built-in potential and open-circuit voltage ( V oc ). Taken together, the PSCs constructed by employing a sandwich-like TiO2 /Au NPs/TiO2 ETL exhibit both greatly enhanced J sc and V oc, delivering champion PCEs of 18.81% and 19.42% in planar and mesostructured PSCs, respectively. As such, the judicious positioning of rationally designed monodisperse plasmonic NPs in the ETL affords effective tailoring of carrier dynamics, thereby providing a unique platform for developing high-performance PSCs.