SAM Connecting Layer for Rough-Surface Perovskite Tandem Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deposition of charge-selective contact layers on rough surfaces in perovskite solar cells is challenging, leading to short circuits and inefficiencies, particularly in tandem and multi-junction solar cells, due to the complexity of conformal deposition on textured substrates.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer system comprising a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of specific molecules, such as V1193, applied conformally over a substrate layer to serve as a hole-selective contact, enabling efficient charge transport and coverage on rough surfaces, thereby forming a bonding layer between perovskite sub-junction solar cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If organic materials are used as connecting layers in perovskite solar cells, then flexibility and ease of deposition are improved, but stability and moisture resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite connecting layer comprising alternating organic and inorganic material layers. The organic layers (e.g., PEDOT:PSS, Alq3) provide ease of deposition and flexibility, while the inorganic layers (e.g., Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2) provide stability and moisture resistance. This composite structure synergistically combines the advantages of both material types, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
2Productivity
If multiple connecting layers are stacked to improve light absorption, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connecting layer into multiple thin sub-layers, each with specific functions. The segmentation includes organic layers for charge transport and inorganic layers for protection and optical management. This segmented approach allows optimization of each layer's thickness and composition to maximize light absorption and energy conversion while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting layer structure follows a nested pattern where thin inorganic layers are inserted between organic layers, creating an alternating multilayer structure. Each layer is optimized for specific thickness (e.g., organic layers 5-50 nm, inorganic layers 2-20 nm), allowing maximum light absorption and charge extraction efficiency while maintaining a compact overall structure that doesn't excessively increase device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If thin connecting layers are used to reduce recombination losses, then charge extraction efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameters of both organic and inorganic layers to specific ranges (organic: 5-50 nm, inorganic: 2-20 nm) to minimize recombination losses while maintaining manufacturability. By carefully controlling these parameters and using standard deposition techniques, the patent achieves thin enough layers to reduce recombination without requiring extreme manufacturing precision that would be difficult to implement consistently.
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 multilayer system enhances power conversion efficiency, reduces material consumption, and allows scalable production of multi-junction solar cells with minimal parasitic optical absorption and improved stability, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
Perovskite solar cells have attracted great interest as a low-cost, high-efficiency alternative to conventional silicon-based solar cells
Implementation Method 2
The connecting layer may comprise a first organic layer, a first inorganic layer, a second organic layer, and a second inorganic layer alternately stacked on the first perovskite sub-cell in sequence
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-layer system M as a connecting layer for perovskite multi-junction solar cells. The multi-layer system comprises at least two layers, layer A and layer B, wherein layer A is applied in a directly conforming manner to layer B, and wherein layer A is formed as a self-assembled monolayer from at least one molecule type according to formula (I), (I), where m = 1 to 2, L is a connecting fragment, A is an anchor group, and HTF is a hole-transporting fragment, and layer B is formed from at least one of the materials of the group of indium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, nickel oxide, copper oxide, tungsten and molybdenum oxide or mixtures thereof; or silicon oxide or silicon, including amorphous, nano- or multi-crystalline, hydrogen-doped and oxidic layers, in particular a-Si:H, nc-Si:H, a-SiOx:H, nc-SiOx:H, µc-Si:H, µc-SiOx:H. The invention also relates to a method for producing a multi-layer system M according to the invention and to a multi-junction solar cell having a perovskite partial solar cell PZ and a multi-layer system M according to the invention as a connecting layer.