Building (001) oriented FAPbI films for high-performing perovskite solar cells.

The solution processed FAPbI perovskite usually suffers from chaotic orientations. Herein, a template structure of oriented 2D perovskite is used to obtain a high-quality FAPbI film with (001) preferred orientation by cation exchange. The highly oriented BAPbI serves as a growth template and promotes the (001) orientation of the 3D perovskite.

Interfacial engineering eliminates energy loss at perovskite/HTL junction.

Realizing efficient FAPbI-based devices with high open-circuit voltage () is still challenging, due to severe energy loss between the n-type perovskite and p-type hole-transporting layer (HTL). Here, we developed a strategy involving controlling the formation of iodine vacancies in order to induce formation of p-type perovskite and hence mitigate such energy loss. Post-deposition of -butylamine iodide was discovered to induce an n-to-p-type transition in the FAPbI perovskite and hence form the p-type perovskite/p-type HTL junction.

Electrochemically Induced Phase Transformation in Vanadium Oxide Boosts Zn-Ion Intercalation.

Vanadium oxides are excellent cathode materials with large storage capacities for aqueous zinc-ion batteries, but their further development has been hampered by their low electronic conductivity and slow Zn diffusion. Here, an electrochemically induced phase transformation strategy is proposed to mitigate and overcome these barriers. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the complete transformation of tunnel-like structural VO into layered VO·6HO during the initial electrochemical charging process.

Graded 2D/3D Perovskite Hetero-Structured Films with Suppressed Interfacial Recombination for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells via DABr Treatment.

Several strategies and approaches have been reported for improving the resilience and optoelectronic properties of perovskite films. However, fabricating a desirable and stable perovskite absorber layer is still a great challenge due to the optoelectronic and fabrication limitations of the materials. Here, we introduce diethylammonium bromide (DABr) as a post-treatment material for the pre-deposited methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI) film to fabricate a high-quality two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) stacked hetero-structure perovskite film.

Addition of Dioxane in Electrolyte Promotes (002)-Textured Zinc Growth and Suppressed Side Reactions in Zinc-Ion Batteries.

The reversibility and cyclability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are largely determined by the stabilization of the Zn anode. Therefore, a stable anode/electrolyte interface capable of inhibiting dendrites and side reactions is crucial for high-performing ZIBs. In this study, we investigated the adsorption of 1,4-dioxane (DX) to promote the exposure of Zn (002) facets and prevent dendrite growth.

Interdiffusion Stomatal Movement in Efficient Multiple-Cation-Based Perovskite Solar Cells.

The composition and crystallization process are essential for high-quality perovskite films. Cesium (Cs) and methylammonium chlorine (MACl) were found to affect the crystallization kinetics of perovskite, and the performance and stability of corresponding devices were greatly improved. We adopted an ion exchange method to remove MACl vapor and add Cs to form a multiple-cation-based perovskite film.

Impacts of Oxygen Vacancies on Zinc Ion Intercalation in VO.

The aqueous zinc ion battery has emerged as a promising alternative technology for large-scale energy storage due to its low cost, natural abundance, and high safety features. However, the sluggish kinetics stemming from the strong electrostatic interaction of divalent zinc ions in the host crystal structure is one of challenges for highly efficient energy storage. Oxygen vacancies (V), in the present work, lead to a larger tunnel structure along the axis, which improves the reactive kinetics and enhances Zn-ion storage capability in VO (B) cathode.

Template-Assisted Formation of High-Quality α-Phase HC(NH)PbI Perovskite Solar Cells.

Formamidinium (FA) lead halide (α-FAPbI) perovskites are promising materials for photovoltaic applications because of their excellent light harvesting capability (absorption edge 840 nm) and long carrier diffusion length. However, it is extremely difficult to prepare a pure α-FAPbI phase because of its easy transformation into a nondesirable δ-FAPbI phase. In the present study, a "perovskite" template (MAPbI-FAI-PbI-DMSO) structure is used to avoid and suppress the formation of δ-FAPbI phases.

Low-Temperature Annealed Perovskite Films: A Trade-Off between Fast and Retarded Crystallization via Solvent Engineering.

Currently, in the field of photovoltaics, researchers are working hard to produce efficient, stable, and commercially feasible devices. The prime objective behind the innovation of any photovoltaic device is to yield more energy with easy manufacture and less process cost. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are prominent in the field of photovoltaics, owing to its low material cost, simple fabrication process, and ideal optoelectronic properties.

Incorporating 4-tert-Butylpyridine in an Antisolvent: A Facile Approach to Obtain Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

The synthesis and growth of CHNHPbI films with controlled nucleation is a key issue for the high efficiency and stability of solar cells. Here, 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP) was introduced into a CHNHPbI antisolvent to obtain high quality perovskite layers. In situ optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns were used to prove that tBP significantly suppressed perovskite nucleation by forming an intermediate phase.