Insulating Tunneling Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Perovskite solar cells face challenges in minimizing charge recombination at the contacts and are susceptible to water damage, which limits their efficiency and stability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an insulating tunneling layer between the perovskite material and the electron collection layer, using insulating polymers such as polystyrene or PVDF:TrFE, to reduce charge recombination and enhance water resistance without the need for further encapsulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If an insulating tunneling layer is inserted between perovskite and electron collection layer, then charge recombination is reduced and power conversion efficiency increases, but device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge recombination lossVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An insulating tunneling layer is introduced as an intermediary between the perovskite active layer and the electron collection layer. This intermediate layer serves as a mediator that enables electron transport while blocking hole transport, thereby reducing charge recombination at the interface without requiring fundamental structural changes to the device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating tunneling layer is constructed using composite material systems that combine insulating properties with electron transport capability. These composite materials allow the layer to simultaneously provide electrical insulation to prevent recombination and facilitate electron tunneling to maintain high power conversion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If insulating polymer layer is added to enhance water resistance, then device stability improves, but manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating tunneling layer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an electron transport channel, a hole blocking barrier, and a hydrophobic protection layer against water ingress. By combining these functions into a single layer, the design avoids additional manufacturing steps that would be required if separate layers were used for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophobicity parameter of the tunneling layer is optimized to provide sufficient water resistance. By adjusting the material composition and structural parameters of the insulating layer, adequate protection against water damage is achieved while maintaining simplicity in the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach increases the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells to up to 20.3% under one sun illumination and significantly improves their resistance to water damage, maintaining performance without additional protection.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating tunneling layer inserted between the perovskite and the electron collection layer to reduce charge recombination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTunneling:

Implementation Method 2

the capping of the perovskite film by a hydrophobic insulating layer, which dramatically enhances resistance of perovskite devices to water-caused damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS10833283B2Insulating tunneling contact for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 NUTECH VENTURES LTD

AI summary

Perovskite-based photoactive devices, such as solar cells, include an insulating tunneling layer inserted between the perovskite photoactive material and the electron collection layer to reduce charge recombination and concomitantly provide water resistant properties to the device.