Expanding the solvent diversity and perovskite compatibility of SnO inks that are directly deposited on perovskite layers.

Tin oxide (SnO) is an attractive electron transport material (ETM) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to its optoelectronic properties, low-temperature solution processability, cost, and stability. However, solvent incompatibilities have largely limited its application to devices with SnO deposited below the perovskite. To expand its utility in other device structures, including inverted PSCs and tandem devices, alternate deposition strategies are needed.

Synthesizing and formulating metal oxide nanoparticle inks for perovskite solar cells.

The perovskite solar cell has commercial potential due to the low-cost of materials and manufacturing processes with cell efficiencies on par with traditional technologies. Nanomaterials have many properties that make them attractive for the perovskite devices, including low-cost inks, low temperature processing, stable material properties and good charge transport. In this feature article, the use of nanomaterials in the hole transport and electron transport layers are reviewed.

Solvation of NiOfor hole transport layer deposition in perovskite solar cells.

A series of nickel oxide (NiO) inks, in the perovskite antisolvent chlorobenzene (CB) containing 15% ethanol, were prepared for the fabrication of p-i-n perovskite solar cells by blade coating. The inks included triethylamine (EtN) and alkyl xanthate salts as ligands to disperse NiOparticle aggregates and stabilize suspension. A total of four inks were evaluated: 0X (EtN with no alkyl xanthate), 4X (EtN + potassium-butyl xanthate), 12X (EtN + potassium-dodecyl xanthate), and 18X (EtN + potassium-octadecyl xanthate).