Perovskite Solar Cell Interface Vacancies for Higher Open-Circuit Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Perovskite solar cells manufactured using existing methods suffer from insufficient open-circuit voltage improvement.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing method for a solar cell module that involves forming a photoelectric conversion layer with physical vacancies at specific positions by causing a hole transport layer to absorb moisture, applying a precursor, and heating to vaporize moisture, creating vacancies at the interface with an electron transport layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a perovskite solar cell is manufactured using conventional methods without physical vacancies, then the manufacturing process is simple and stable, but the open-circuit voltage is insufficient and cannot be improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopen-circuit voltageVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing a hydrophilic treatment on the hole transport layer surface before applying the perovskite precursor, which enables the surface to absorb moisture in advance. This preliminary moisture absorption is crucial for forming vacancies during subsequent heating, thereby improving open-circuit voltage without complicating the overall manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the heating temperature and duration to vaporize moisture from the hydrophilic-treated surface, thereby forming vacancies at the interface. By adjusting heating parameters (temperature, time), the vacancy formation can be optimized to achieve desired open-circuit voltage improvement while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If physical vacancies are formed at the interface of the photoelectric conversion layer, then nonradiative recombination is suppressed and open-circuit voltage improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopen-circuit voltageVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by using the hydrophilic-treated surface to automatically absorb moisture from the environment before precursor application. The moisture absorption occurs spontaneously without additional equipment or complex processes, and the subsequent heating step naturally vaporizes this absorbed moisture to form vacancies, making the vacancy formation process self-driven and manufacturing-friendly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the typically harmful effect of moisture (which is usually avoided in perovskite manufacturing) into a beneficial tool for vacancy formation. By intentionally introducing moisture through hydrophilic treatment and then vaporizing it during heating, the patent transforms moisture from a contaminant into a vacancy-forming agent, improving open-circuit voltage while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 method enhances open-circuit voltage by suppressing nonradiative recombination of holes at the interface, leading to improved power generation performance.

Implementation Method 1

causing the surface of the hole transport layer on which the hydrophilic treatment is performed to absorb moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

heating the precursor applied so as to form the photoelectric conversion layer from the precursor and vaporizing the moisture absorbed in the surface of the hole transport layer, thereby forming a plurality of vacancies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20260006978A1Manufacturing method for solar cell module and solar cell module

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A manufacturing method for a solar cell module having stacked hole transport, photoelectric conversion, and electron transport layers includes: preparing a substrate with the hole transport layer formed therein; performing hydrophilic treatment on the hole transport layer surface on a first substrate; causing the hole transport layer surface to absorb moisture; applying a precursor for the photoelectric conversion layer to the hole transport layer surface with moisture absorbed therein; heating the precursor to form the photoelectric conversion layer from the precursor and vaporizing moisture absorbed in the hole transport layer surface, thereby forming vacancies at an interface of the photoelectric conversion layer contacting the hole transport layer; and forming the electron transport layer on the photoelectric conversion layer surface.