Perovskite Solar Cell Buffer Layer for Interface Recombination Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Perovskite solar cells face performance reduction due to charge recombination at the electron transport layer interface and difficulty in forming uniform ultra-thin films, which affects reproducibility and stability.

Innovation Solution

Introduce an electron transport buffer layer with a three-layer structure, comprising a passivation buffer layer, a carbon-based electron transport layer, and a hole blocking buffer layer, between the perovskite light-absorbing layer and the electron transport layer to prevent hole movement and enhance electron transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If an electron transport layer is formed directly on the perovskite light-absorbing layer, then the device structure is simple, but charge recombination occurs at the interface due to energy level mismatch, reducing solar cell performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidsolar cell performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electron transport layer is segmented into three distinct functional layers: a hole blocking buffer layer (0.5-5 nm), a carbon-based electron transport layer (3-30 nm), and a passivation buffer layer (0.5-5 nm). This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, preventing charge recombination while maintaining efficient electron transport, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and performance reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The three-layer structure acts as an intermediary between the perovskite light-absorbing layer and the electron transport layer. The hole blocking buffer layer and passivation buffer layer specifically prevent hole transport to the electron transport layer, while the carbon-based electron transport layer ensures efficient electron extraction. This intermediary structure eliminates the harmful direct interface between perovskite and electron transport layer, resolving the charge recombination issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an ultra-thin electron transport layer is formed, then the device has high efficiency, but uniform film formation is difficult due to non-uniform atomic layer growth in the initial nuclear growth stage, reducing reproducibility and stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolar cell efficiencyVSAvoidfilm uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hole blocking buffer layer and passivation buffer layer are formed as preliminary layers before the carbon-based electron transport layer. These preliminary layers serve as templates that promote uniform nucleation and growth of the subsequent carbon-based electron transport layer. This preliminary action prevents non-uniform atomic layer growth during the initial nuclear growth stage, ensuring uniform film formation and improving reproducibility and stability while maintaining high efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If holes are allowed to move to the electron transport layer, then the hole transport path is simplified, but charge recombination occurs at the electron transport layer interface, reducing performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole transport pathVSAvoidsolar cell performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hole blocking buffer layer specifically extracts or removes holes from the potential transport path to the electron transport layer. By placing this layer between the perovskite light-absorbing layer and the electron transport layer, holes are blocked from reaching the electron transport layer, preventing charge recombination. This extraction of holes from the harmful path resolves the contradiction between simplified hole transport and performance maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The three-layer structure improves hole blocking characteristics, reduces shunt occurrence, and increases shunt resistance, enhancing the solar cell's performance and stability.

Implementation Method 1

a solar cell refers to a cell that generates current-voltage by utilizing the photovoltaic effect that generates electrons and holes by absorbing light energy from sunlight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4712744A1Perovskite solar cell and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HANWHA SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP4712744A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4712744A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4712744A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a perovskite solar cell in which an electron transport buffer layer having a three-layer structure is introduced between a perovskite light-absorbing layer and an electron transport layer, and a method for producing the same.