Modification of Perovskite Solar Cell Architecture to Increase Thermal and Mechanical Resilience

On the cusp of commercialization and market breakthrough, perovskite solar cells have emerged as a competitor to silicon technology. Their efficiency rivals commercial products and the decreased energy for production and overall cost give perovskite solar cells an edge. However, parts of this technology still require improvement, in particular addressing thier thermal and mechanical instability. These instabilities can give rise to device degradation. Comprehensive knowledge of these degradation mechanisms is required to address and solve these downfalls. In this research, we present the results of a myriad of tests, including water contact angle, kelvin probe, and double cantilever pull apart tests, designed to address these issues. As a result of the connection between instability and decreased performance, we have correspondingly altered the device architecture of standard p-i-n perovskite solar cells to improve performance. More specifically, thermal stability of devices was studied with the use of water contact angle and kelvin probe tests. Modified hole transport layers, or HTLs, were developed to ease delamination seen during tests due to thermal stress. The mechanical stability of devices was tested with double cantilever beam tests to determine mechanical weak layers. Additional modifications were added to the electron transport layers, or ETLs, to address the mechanical instability. With the adoption of these modifications within the HTL and ETL layers, this research introduces perovskite solar cells with improved thermal and mechanical resilience. These improvements will aid in this technology’s path to commercialization.