Accelerating the commercialisation of printed triple mesoscopic perovskite solar cells through ferroelectric nanocomposites

Objective

Printed triple mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (TM-PSCs) have excellent potential to be a commercially viable photovoltaic (PV) technology: they are easily manufactured at scale avoiding expensive materials or processes. They are also intrinsically much more stable than alternative PSC technologies – a major advantage as stability concerns must be overcome to induce confidence in emerging PSC products. However, TM-PSCs have not reached the power conversion efficiency (PCE) levels achieved by conventional single-junction, thin-film PSCs (27% compared to 20% for TM-PSCs). Therefore, new approaches are needed to overcome the challenges of charge-carrier recombination and open-circuit voltage (Voc) losses that hinder the efficiency of TM-PSCs due to the non-ideal perovskite crystallisation within their porous scaffolds, and non-ideal interfaces. PriMe-Ferro will explore a new approach to boost the efficiency of TM-PSCs towards commercially viable levels. It will integrate ferroelectric materials into the TM-PSC design with a novel architecture in order to take advantage of the proven ability of ferroelectrics to enhance charge carrier separation in coupled semiconducting materials, reducing recombination losses. It will also draw novel photovoltaic effects in ferroelectrics, which, when coupled to TM-PSCs could reduce Voc losses and even lead to efficiencies beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit. Experimental data will be obtained to provide clear proof-of-concept for this novel approach by building, testing and measuring the novel device architectures. In parallel, a full commercial pathway will be planned by undertaking market research, cost-benefit calculations, patentability assessment and business planning. These will result in clear evidence and plans to drive forward the commercialisation of this new PV device concept combining manufacturability, high efficiency and high stability.