Recent developments have enabled perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to achieve power conversion efficiencies exceeding 25.7%; thus, these devices are considered rising stars in the photovoltaics field. However, the homogeneous crystallization of perovskite may lead to disordered crystalline orientations and defects in the bulk phase and grain boundaries, thereby restricting the performance and stability of PSCs. Defect passivation and crystallization regulation are considered effective strategies to improve the performance of these devices.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials play an important role in regulating perovskite crystallization and passivation defects and improving carrier mobility owing to their highly porous structures, strong functional structure design, and other advantages.

However, current research indicates that most MOFs applied to PSCs lack the functional design of their structures. In this case, a mixed-ligands strategy can not only design functional MOFs with novel structures but also passivate defects and regulate perovskite crystallization via the synergistic effect of the selected ligands.

Assistant researcher Yayu Dong, professors Yulin Yang and Ruiqing Fan, associate professor Jian Zhang, and others of Harbin Institute of Technology recently published a manuscript, titled "Metal-Organic Frameworks with Mixed-Ligands Strategy as Heterogeneous Nucleation Center to Assist Crystallization for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells," in the Journal of Energy Chemistry.

The flexible organic ligand 5-(4-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)benzyl)-1H-tetrazole (Httb) was selected to construct a novel 3D MOF (Cd-Httb). A second ligand, 1,4-dicarboxybenzene (H2BDC), was then introduced to this MOF to successfully construct another novel 3D MOF (Cd-Httb-BDC).

Compared with the control and Cd-Httb, Cd-Httb-BDC designed with mixed ligands served as a nanostructured heterogeneous nucleation seed and effectively assisted the crystallization of high-quality large-grain perovskite films. It also reduced the density of defect states, thereby improving the efficiency and stability of PSCs. This work provides a theoretical basis for synthesizing novel functionalized MOFs to prepare PSCs, which is of great significance for the commercialization of perovskite-based photovoltaic devices.

Research Report:Metal-organic frameworks with mixed-ligands strategy as heterogeneous nucleation center to assist crystallization for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

Related Links
Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Simple semiconductor solutions could boost solar energy generation and enable better space probes
Guildford UK (SPX) Nov 24, 2022
A 'simple' tweak to perovskite solar cells during the fabrication stage could help to unlock the untold potential of the renewable energy source, claims research from the University of Surrey. Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) has demonstrated that by precisely controlling the fabrication process, it is possible to regulate and reduce unwanted energy loss in perovskite solar panels. Dr Bowei Li, a lead researcher of the programme at the Advanced Technology Institute, University of ... read more