Self-assembling Perovskite Absorbers - Cells Engineered into Modules (SPACE-Modules)

Lead Research Organisation: Swansea University
Department Name: College of Engineering

Abstract

Climate change affects everyone on the planet through changing weather patterns particularly leading to increased occurrence of extreme weather which can, for instance, result in very intense rainfall leading to flooding or prolonged absence of rain leading to drought. Climate change is driven by increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (e.g. carbon dioxide) which trap heat which would otherwise be dissipated away from the planet's surface. The biggest source of increasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels to generate energy (e.g. to generate electricity in coal or gas-fired power stations and/or in the internal combustion engines or cars/lorries/buses etc.).

Climate change is arguably the biggest and most urgent challenge currently facing humankind. The paradox is that global society is expanding rapidly and that society wants to use ever increasing amounts of energy whilst, at the same time, we must urgently and significantly reduce the amount of energy-related greenhouse gases we are releasing. At the same time, energy costs are on an upward trend which is predicted to continue for the foreseeable future.

The answer is renewable energy whereby energy is sustainably generated with no greenhouse gas emissions. However, current and predicted energy demand is huge and so the required scale of global renewable energy generation must match this. The most likely scenario is that future energy generation will rely on a patchwork of renewable energy sources (e.g. wind, hydroelectric, biomass, solar) with one energy source picking up the slack when another is generating poorly. However, this must still be produced at a cost that the customer can afford.

When considering solar energy, there is huge surplus falling on the Earth's surface every day (approximately 6,000 times more than annual global energy consumption). This suggests that for 10% efficient solar cells, covering 0.2% of the crust with solar panels would meet energy demand.

Hence, the primary challenge is to be able to manufacture solar cells at sufficient scale to meet this energy demand. Currently, about 90% of solar cell modules sold are crystalline silicon (cSi) which are sandwiched between two sheets of glass and then either bolted to frames on roof surfaces or floor mounted in solar farms. The problems with cSi modules are that they are manufactured using batch processes, which involves a lot of staff which makes it harder for the UK to compete because our labour costs tend to be higher.

For new solar cell technologies to compete with cSi, they must be available at the right cost to the customer. They must also contain low embodied energy (that is the energy which is takes to manufacture them). Combining these two factors will reduce the initial cost the customer which will increase uptake. It will also significantly reduce pay-back times; i.e. the time the solar cells must be installed before the customer has saved enough money on their energy bills to have paid off the initial purchase costs.

Perovskite solar cells (the subject of this research) were discovered by Professor Snaith at Oxford University in 2012. These devices offer great potential for very large scale solar cell uptake because they convert solar energy to electricity very efficiently and all the device components are abundant. The device components are also printable onto flexible substrates, which means that this technology should be suitable for roll-to-roll processing which is not labour intensive and which can be very rapid. Printing devices onto flexible substrates means that it should also be possible to integrate these devices into commercial products; for instance for mobile device charging such as mobile phones or onto the outside of buildings to generate energy at the point of use.

Planned Impact

1. The proposal will scale perovskite PV devices from lab-scale devices (1cm2) to modules using pilot scale continuous, roll-to-roll manufacturing which opens the potential for very large scale production.

2. The research will develop the fundamental understanding to scale perovskite device raw materials which will enable the creation of a supply chain.

3. The research will develop new understanding of processing multiple layer, nanoscale materials on low cost substrates which are not perfectly flat. This new knowledge will be transferrable to a wide range of new, advanced materials which often use nanoscale substances.

4. The research will produce understanding of failure mechanisms and mitigation strategies to extend perovskite module lifetimes under indoor and outdoor exposure conditions.

5. The research will generate high impact journal publications (e.g. Nature and Energy & Environmental Science) and be presented at international conferences (e.g. MRS, APS, ACS, EU-PVSEC).

6. The project will generate highly trained and inter-disciplinary scientists and engineers to support the growing PV and advanced materials industry.

7. By developing a new PV manufacturing technology in the UK, the research will generate significant wealth and create jobs in the UK; e.g. it has been estimated (European PV Industry Association) that PV manufacturing creates 3-7 direct jobs in production and between 12 and 20 indirect jobs per MWp.

8. The proposal will help deliver UK Govt. targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to < 80% of the 1990 value by 2050 including work on building integrated PV (BIPV) to help deliver DECC policy of "buildings as powers stations".

9. The proposed research will improve global health and quality of life by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy generation which will reduce the impact of climate change.

10. To disseminate the impact of the project to wider society, the Swansea-led Materials Live project will coordinate impact activities from schools
engagement to the production of lab demonstrator systems for public showcase.

11. The proposal will generate intellectual property (IP) and the Project Management Team will manage the exploitation of this IP through project partners, SPECIFIC IKC partners and/or new spin-out companies.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Perovskite solar cell devices are advanced electronic materials which consist of a series of layers deposited one on top of each other. We have been developing new materials which can make up the layer which absorbs light and also the layer which transports charge. We are focussing on making these materials lower cost by simplifying the manufacturing procedures and also on making them more robust so that the devices last longer. We have also been working on scaling up the manufacture of these devices.
Key findings include:
• discovery of lower cost components (e.g. hole transport materials, lead halide nanocrystals) which are as efficient as spiro-OMeTAD but at a fraction of the cost.
• low energy processing (e.g. low temperature sintering of metal oxide scaffolds)
• lower environmental impact processing (e.g. safer solvents or solvent-free processing)
• device optimisation (e.g. control of perovskite structure, interlayers to improve electrical performance, controlled light harvesting with dye-perovskite combinations)
• scaled manufacturing (e.g. screen printable modules, slot die modules, large area four-layer slot die printed modules, fast processed carbon stack devices)
• manufacturing yield measured (e.g. raw materials usage)
• stability tested and enhanced module lifetimes (e.g. using additives to enhance light soaking stability, enhanced humidity resistance using optimised scaffold materials and polymer encapsulation, oxidative passivation)
Exploitation Route Our project is linked to the SPECIFIC IKC which develops technologies from research into scale-up. The SPECIFIC IKC is currently developing demonstrators of energy harvesting devices (e.g. the active classroom and the active office at Swansea University). Oxford PV are also building manufacturing facilities to fully commercialise perovskite solar cells which should come online later this year
Sectors Chemicals

Construction

Electronics

Energy

Environment

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

 
Description The work on molecular orientation within device layers has been important as understanding has developed especially regarding device interlayers leading to higher overall efficiencies.
First Year Of Impact 2020
Sector Chemicals,Education,Electronics,Energy,Environment
Impact Types Societal

Economic

 
Description Surface engineering of solid state dye-sensitized solar cells
Amount £1,200,000 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P030068/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2017 
End 08/2020
 
Title CCDC 1908056: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination 
Description Related Article: Peter J. Holliman, Christopher P. Kershaw, Eurig W. Jones, Diana Meza-Rojas, Anthony Lewis, James McGettrick, Dawn Geatches, Kakali Sen, Sebastian Metz, Graham J. Tizzard, Simon J. Coles|2020|J.Mater.Chem.A|8|22191|doi:10.1039/D0TA06016J 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc221h6v&sid=DataCite
 
Title CCDC 1908057: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination 
Description Related Article: Peter J. Holliman, Christopher P. Kershaw, Eurig W. Jones, Diana Meza-Rojas, Anthony Lewis, James McGettrick, Dawn Geatches, Kakali Sen, Sebastian Metz, Graham J. Tizzard, Simon J. Coles|2020|J.Mater.Chem.A|8|22191|doi:10.1039/D0TA06016J 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc221h7w&sid=DataCite
 
Title CCDC 1908058: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination 
Description Related Article: Peter J. Holliman, Christopher P. Kershaw, Eurig W. Jones, Diana Meza-Rojas, Anthony Lewis, James McGettrick, Dawn Geatches, Kakali Sen, Sebastian Metz, Graham J. Tizzard, Simon J. Coles|2020|J.Mater.Chem.A|8|22191|doi:10.1039/D0TA06016J 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc221h8x&sid=DataCite
 
Title CCDC 1908059: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination 
Description Related Article: Peter J. Holliman, Christopher P. Kershaw, Eurig W. Jones, Diana Meza-Rojas, Anthony Lewis, James McGettrick, Dawn Geatches, Kakali Sen, Sebastian Metz, Graham J. Tizzard, Simon J. Coles|2020|J.Mater.Chem.A|8|22191|doi:10.1039/D0TA06016J 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc221h9y&sid=DataCite
 
Title CCDC 1908060: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination 
Description Related Article: Peter J. Holliman, Christopher P. Kershaw, Eurig W. Jones, Diana Meza-Rojas, Anthony Lewis, James McGettrick, Dawn Geatches, Kakali Sen, Sebastian Metz, Graham J. Tizzard, Simon J. Coles|2020|J.Mater.Chem.A|8|22191|doi:10.1039/D0TA06016J 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc221hbz&sid=DataCite
 
Title CSD 2013668: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination 
Description Related Article: Harry C. Sansom, Giulia Longo, Adam D. Wright, Leonardo R. V. Buizza, Suhas Mahesh, Bernard Wenger, Marco Zanella, Mojtaba Abdi-Jalebi, Michael J. Pitcher, Matthew S. Dyer, Troy D. Manning, Richard H. Friend, Laura M. Herz, Henry J. Snaith, John B. Claridge, Matthew J. Rosseinsky|2021|J.Am.Chem.Soc.|143|3983|doi:10.1021/jacs.1c00495 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.25505/fiz.icsd.cc25ld17&sid=DataCite
 
Title Data from: Perovskite solar cells in N-I-P structure with four layers slot-die coated 
Description The fabrication of perovskite solar cells in an N-I-P structure with compact titanium dioxide blocking, mesoporous titanium dioxide scaffold, single step perovskite and hole transport layers deposited using the slot-die coating technique is reported. Devices on fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass substrates with evaporated gold top contacts and four slot-die coated layers reach stabilised power conversion efficiencies of 7%. This work demonstrates the suitability of slot- die coating for the production of layers within this perovskite solar cell stack and the potential to transfer to large area and roll-to-roll manufacturing processes. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2018 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.r572v
 
Title Dataset for ''Screen printed carbon CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells with high open-circuit photovoltage'' 
Description All the data collected and presented in the publication ''Screen printed carbon CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells with high open-circuit photovoltage'' have been grouped in this Dataset. Carbon based CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells have been investigated. In this work, we focus on the effect of the post-annealing temperature on the perovskite material properties and photovoltaic activity. The material properties have been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis, atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The photovoltaic activity of the devices is tested by scanning the JV curve under simulated solar illumination (AM 1.5G filter, 100 mWcm-2) and measuring the EQE. Information about the internal resistance of the device has been taken measuring Impedance spectroscopy. A readme.txt file that describes how the data have been arranged is available. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2018 
Provided To Others? Yes  
 
Description Oxford PV 
Organisation Oxford Photovoltaics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We are collaborating closely with Oxford PV on this project and have made many co developments of the scientific advances.
Collaborator Contribution Oxford PV have supplied some Silicon PV cells upon which to coat the perovskite cells for the all perovskite tandem cells. They have also deposited ITO conducting oxide upon our cells to complete our devices. In addition they have allowed access to other characterization facilities including optical microscope and x-ray diffraction analysis. They have reproduced our low band gap perovskite solar cell fabrication protocol in their laboratories, and made advancements in the protocol to encapsulate and test the long term stability of such cells. They have finished all perovskite tandem cells which were half made in our university labs and then finished and tested in Oxford PV
Impact One of the main outcomes is that Oxford PV has raised in the region of £100M external investment, with the technology based on technology originally conceived in Oxford University. The company has benefited from continuing fundamental advancements of the technology, driven from our University Lab. We are now working closely together on this prosperity partnership project and will collaboratively deliver record efficiency and stability, all perovskite thin film tandem and triple junction solar cells.
Start Year 2018
 
Description 39 ways to save the planet 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The radio documentaries covered a broad range of ways people are working towards improving sustainability and the environment. One documentary focused on solar cells, largely based on the perovskite PV technology developed by Oxford University and Oxford PV Ltd.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000r3nn
 
Description Computational Chemistry: Solar Cell Materials 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Outreach workshop to 6th form students at STFC Daresbury open day event
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Designing and processing low cost materials to surface engineer solar cells 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Invited talk at conference which led to potential future collaboration
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Invited paper presented to Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics (HOPV) conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited paper presented to Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics (HOPV) conference describing links between theory and experiment to surface engineer greener solar cells.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Light and Renewable Energy 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Public outreach event delivered to retired ladies group
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Low cost, scalable, hole transport materials for photovoltaic devices with improved solubility in green solvents for photovoltaic devices 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Conference presentation leading to discussions on material use and circular economy
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Materials Characterisation Applied to Dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Lecture delivered to Research methods for solar PV I: Materials and Characterisation" at the SuperSolar' PV Hub meeting
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description RE:ENERGIZE Refining Solar 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact RE:TV is a showcase for inspiring innovations and ideas that point the way towards a sustainable future, curated by editor-in-chief, His Royal Highness The Prince Of Wales. A series addressing the challenges in Getting to net Zero, featured Prof Snaith and Oxford PV Ltd.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.re-tv.org/reenergize/refining-solar
 
Description Rapid processing and lifetime testing of dye-sensitized solar cells 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Research presentation at national conference
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Senses Activity Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Full day hands-on workshop delivered to young adult students at special educational needs college
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Studies of Dye Processing, Surface Interactions and Lifetimes for DSC Devices 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Research presentation to international conference
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description The Engineers: Clean Energy 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Three engineers leading the field in clean energy solutions came together for a special event presented by Kevin Fong at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Prof Snaith presented and was on the panel representing Solar PV. In addition, there was a related schools competition, Organised by the Royal Commission for the exhibition of 1851, where the prize for the winning schools amounted to a seminar and questions and answer session with Prof Snaith.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.big-ideas.org/project/the-engineers-royal-commission-for-the-exhibition-of-1851/
 
Description Train the teachers - STEM event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact We delivered a training event for teachers at a special educational needs college for young adults
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Understanding and controlling electron transfer between sensitizer and electrolyte 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Research presentation at national conference (PVSAT - 2017)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017