Electrical properties and J-V modeling of perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) solar cells after external thermal exposure
By Torres, Jeevan; Sanchez-Diaz, Jesus; Rivas, Jesús Manuel; de la Torre, Jorge; Zarazua, Isaac; Esparza, Diego
Published in Solar Energy
2021
Abstract
In this work, the effects of external temperature exposure on perovskite solar cells are reported. Experimental solar cells, with the configuration FTO/c-TiO2/m-TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3/Spiro-OMETAD/Au, were fabricated and exposed to different external temperatures (25, 40, 60 and 70 °C) for four hours. The objective was to compare the effects of external temperature exposure on perovskite solar cells. The thin films were characterized using SEM, XRD and absorption spectra. The solar cells were characterized obtaining their J-V curves, and using curve simulations to quantify changes in the working mechanisms of the cells. Experimental results indicate that samples exposed to temperatures under 40 °C suffer a decrease in PCE, mainly due to a reduction in FF but deaden by an increase in Jsc. In addition, when the samples are exposed to higher temperatures, there is a general decrease in all photovoltaic parameters resulting in a considerable reduction in PCE. Simulations indicate that degradation of the cells starts at ambient temperature with the dissolution of the perovskite to form PbI2 which introduces trap levels which reduce the FF. However, if the temperature is kept below 40 °C, the perovskite film can recrystallize inducing grain coalescence which reduces leakage and improves conductivity. This in turn produces an increase of Jsc and a reduction of FF decay. Thus, decreasing lost performance and preserving about 80% of the original efficiency. On the other hand, if the cell is exposed to a temperature above 40 °C, the degradation processes accelerate, recrystallization becomes disordered resulting in the formation of pinholes and defects. These defects, coupled with a higher amount of PbI2, will result in reduction of Jsc, Voc and FF, reducing the PCE.