Optimisation of processing parameters for fabrication of perovskite solar cells under high humidity

Ifheema, Hamed Abdullah Emjahed 2025. Optimisation of processing parameters for fabrication of perovskite solar cells under high humidity. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, have gained significant attention in addressing global energy challenges and promoting sustainable development. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising photovoltaic technology, which have a great potential in future due to their high efficiency and potentially low fabrication cost. However, their performance and stability are significantly affected by environmental conditions during fabrication. This thesis investigates the possibility of fabricating high performance perovskite solar cells in ambient air to eliminate the need for high-cost environmental chambers frequently used for fabrication of high-performance solar cells. An initial study was conducted to explore suitable fabrication parameters for obtaining high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Through a series of experiments, the optimal annealing temperature was determined to be 90°C, yielding a PCE of 7.27%. The optimal spin-coating speed was found to be 4000 rpm, resulting in a PCE of 8.67%. Additionally, different antisolvents were tested, and methyl acetate was shown to be the best treatment, achieving a PCE of 10.63%. This study led to successful identification of suitable processes/parameters for fabrication of perovskite solar cells with respectable performance. An systematic investigation was conducted to explore the fabrication of PSCs under high relative humidity of more than 70%RH, using various combinations of antisolvents. The combinations tested include Ethyl Acetate with Methanol, Methyl Acetate with Toluene, and Methyl Formate with Chlorobenzene. The best performance for each combination was as follows: 12.70 mW/cm² for Ethyl Acetate with 30% Methanol, 13.31 mW/cm² for Methyl Acetate with 30% Toluene, and 9.82 mW/cm² for Methyl Formate with 15% Chlorobenzene. To our knowledge, the power density of 13.31 mW/cm² from the treatment of Methyl Acetate with 30% Toluene represents the highest value of PSCs fabricated under high humidity of >70%RH, reported to date. The findings from this work demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating PSCs in high humidity ambient air with respectable performance. The outcomes from this work indicates that further improvement is possible by exploring new combinations of treatments, opening up a truly low cost fabrication route.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1) Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) 2). Photovoltaic Efficiency 3). Humidity Stability 4). Antisolvent Treatment 5). Spin-Coating 6). Thin-Film Fabrication
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 March 2025
Last Modified:	07 Mar 2025 15:52
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/176712

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