MELISA: Molecular Engineering of Contact Interfaces for Long-Term Stable Perovskite Photovoltaics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as the next-generation photovoltaic (PV) technology that offers high performance and low
projected manufacturing costs. However, the current perovskite/charge-transport-layer (CTL) contacts lack the required long-term
structural and performance stability, which hinders the market entry of perovskite-based PVs. The instability of perovskite/contact
interfaces is a multifaceted challenge that requires a holistic solution to the interfacial defect, charge transfer, chemical stability, and
delamination problems. To overcome this challenge, it is imperative to design novel charge-selective molecules that can
simultaneously passivate perovskite/contact interface defects, facilitate charge transport, form a stable barrier layer, and preserve the
integrity of the contact stack. Therefore, this proposal aims to synthesize a new class of charge-selective molecules and use them to
design highly stable perovskite/CTL contacts that will enable the fabrication of high-efficiency and long-term stable PSCs. Unlike
existing CTLs, the newly developed charge-selective molecules will be perovskite-specific and incorporate functional linker units,
targeting to address all perovskite/contact interface problems simultaneously. Different from the existing literature studies, this
project will follow not a specific but a complete set of the International Summit on Organic Photovoltaic Stability protocols to reveal
the 'true' reliability of perovskite/contact interfaces. The holistic approach of this project, coupled with extensive characterizations,
will generate new knowledge to address the long-lasting stability issue of PSCs, thereby enabling the commercialization of this
promising technology. Overall, the advanced device concepts that will be developed could pave the way to the next generation of PV
technologies beyond 2030.
projected manufacturing costs. However, the current perovskite/charge-transport-layer (CTL) contacts lack the required long-term
structural and performance stability, which hinders the market entry of perovskite-based PVs. The instability of perovskite/contact
interfaces is a multifaceted challenge that requires a holistic solution to the interfacial defect, charge transfer, chemical stability, and
delamination problems. To overcome this challenge, it is imperative to design novel charge-selective molecules that can
simultaneously passivate perovskite/contact interface defects, facilitate charge transport, form a stable barrier layer, and preserve the
integrity of the contact stack. Therefore, this proposal aims to synthesize a new class of charge-selective molecules and use them to
design highly stable perovskite/CTL contacts that will enable the fabrication of high-efficiency and long-term stable PSCs. Unlike
existing CTLs, the newly developed charge-selective molecules will be perovskite-specific and incorporate functional linker units,
targeting to address all perovskite/contact interface problems simultaneously. Different from the existing literature studies, this
project will follow not a specific but a complete set of the International Summit on Organic Photovoltaic Stability protocols to reveal
the 'true' reliability of perovskite/contact interfaces. The holistic approach of this project, coupled with extensive characterizations,
will generate new knowledge to address the long-lasting stability issue of PSCs, thereby enabling the commercialization of this
promising technology. Overall, the advanced device concepts that will be developed could pave the way to the next generation of PV
technologies beyond 2030.
