Perovskite Solar Cell Interface Voids 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 and require improvement.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing method that forms physical vacancies at the interface of the hole transport layer and photoelectric conversion layer by applying a hydrophilic treatment, moisture absorption, and heating to create voids, allowing holes to bypass and reduce nonradiative recombination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a perovskite solar cell is manufactured using conventional methods without physical vacancies at the interface, then the manufacturing process is simple and stable, but the open-circuit voltage is insufficient and power generation performance needs improvement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopen-circuit voltageVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophilic treatment is performed on the hole transport layer surface before applying the perovskite precursor, and moisture is absorbed in advance. This preliminary preparation creates the conditions necessary for forming physical vacancies during subsequent heating, thereby improving open-circuit voltage before the actual photoelectric conversion layer formation occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manufacturing process changes physical parameters by controlling moisture absorption and heating conditions. By adjusting the hydrophilic treatment intensity and moisture absorption duration, the amount and distribution of physical vacancies at the interface are controlled, which directly affects the open-circuit voltage while managing process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Moisture acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates vacancy formation. The hydrophilic treatment introduces moisture absorption capability into the hole transport layer, and during heating, this absorbed moisture evaporates to create physical vacancies. This intermediary mechanism achieves reliable power generation performance through a relatively simple wet chemical process rather than complex physical vapor deposition or etching methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If the surface of the hole transport layer undergoes hydrophilic treatment and absorbs moisture, then physical vacancies are formed at the interface during heating, but additional process steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy conversion efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophilic treatment and moisture absorption steps are merged into a single preparatory phase before precursor application. The hydrophilic treatment not only modifies surface properties but also enables simultaneous moisture absorption, combining multiple functions into integrated process steps that improve energy conversion efficiency while maintaining reasonable manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 the open-circuit voltage of the solar cell module by suppressing nonradiative recombination and improving power generation performance.

Implementation Method 1

performing a hydrophilic treatment on a surface of the hole transport layer formed on the substrate prepared

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic treatment: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 2

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoisture absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4672929A1Manufacturing method for solar cell module and solar cell module
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4672929A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4672929A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4672929A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A manufacturing method for a solar cell module having stacked hole transport (11), photoelectric conversion (12), and electron transport layers (13) 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 (21) 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.