Performance improvement of MXene-based perovskite solar cells upon property transition from metallic to semiconductive by oxidation of Ti3C2Tx in air. Issue 8 (3rd February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Lin; Kan, Dongxiao; Dall'Agnese, Chunxiang; Dall'Agnese, Yohan; Wang, Baoning; Jena, Ajay Kumar; Wei, Yingjin; Chen, Gang; Wang, Xiao-Feng; Gogotsi, Yury; Miyasaka, Tsutomu
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 9:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 5016
• Page End: 5025
• Publication Date: 2021-02-03
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ta11397b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Oxidization of Ti3 C2 T x hydrocolloid is carried out to tune its properties desirable for an electron transport layer in low-temperature processed perovskite solar cells, rendering a champion power conversion efficiency of 18.29%. Abstract : The unique properties of MXenes that arise from terminating functional groups and oxidation of MXenes make them attractive for application in photovoltaic devices like perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, oxidation of Ti3 C2 T x hydrocolloid was carried out to tune its properties desirable for an electron transport layer (ETL) in low-temperature processed PSCs. The calculations of the energy levels were carried out using the Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP) code based on density functional theory (DFT). Oxidation of Ti3 C2 T x can generate Ti–O bonds and effectively reduce the macroscopic defects of the film fabricated by spin-coating, while a transition from metallic material to semiconductor occurred after heavy oxidation. A better matching of energy levels between perovskite and ETL layer in the case of a hybrid of oxidized and pristine Ti3 C2 T x renders a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.29%. The improvement in PCE can be attributed to the increased electron mobility in the ETL, which promotes electron transport and reduces the electron–hole recombination. Hence, by presenting a simple method for high performance in PSCs by MXene-derived materials, this work demonstrates the great potential of these materials for applications in low-temperature processed PSCs and other photovoltaic technologies.