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A nuclear photovoltaic battery uses scintillator to convert radiation into visible light, which is then collected by a photovoltaic (PV) cell to generate electricity. If the radiation is gamma-rays emitted from external sources, the battery may also be referred as gammavoltaic battery. In this study, a polycrystalline CdTe solar cell was optically coupled with a 2.0 cm × 2.0 cm × 1.0 cm Gadolinium Aluminum Gallium Garnet (GAGG) scintillator, and the resulting device was tested using intense gamma radiation fields from a Cs-137 (1.5 kRad/h) and a Co-60 (10 kRad/h) irradiator. Measurements with Cs-137 provided a maximum power output (Pmax) of ∼288 nW, with a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of ∼1.22 μA/cm2 and an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of ∼0.34 V. In contrast, Co-60 irradiator gave a Pmax of 1.5 μW, with a Jsc of ∼4.73 μA/cm2 and a Voc of ∼0.38 V. The CdTe was also paired with a Lutetium-Yttrium Oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) crystal and tested with the Cs-137 source. The experiment presents a scalable option to reach to higher power outputs by harvesting gamma radiation fields in many cases where high radiation field demands heavy shielding and is often regarded as unwanted waste.

Abstract Surface defects in semiconducting materials, though they have been widely studied, remain a prominent source of loss in optoelectronic devices; here we sought a new angle of approach, looking into the dynamic roles played by surface defects under atmospheric stressors and their chemical passivants in the lifetime of optoelectronic materials. We find that surface defects possess properties distinct from those of bulk defects. ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal a previously overlooked reversible degradation mechanism mediated by hydrogen vacancies. We find that dynamic surface adsorption affinity (DAA) relative to surface treatment ligands is a surrogate for passivation efficacy, a more strongly-correlated feature than is the static binding strength emphasized in prior reports. This guides us to design targeted passivator ligands with high molecular polarity: for example, 4-aminobutylphosphonic acid exhibits strong DAA and provides defect passivation applicable to a range of perovskite compositions, including suppressed hydrogen vacancy formation, enhanced photovoltaic performances and operational stability in perovskite solar cells.

Abstract Tin (Sn)‐containing perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained significant attention in the field of perovskite optoelectronics due to lower toxicity than their lead‐based counterparts and their potential for tandem applications. However, the lack of stability is a major concern that hampers their development. To achieve the long‐term stability of Sn‐containing PSCs, it is crucial to have a clear and comprehensive understanding of the degradation mechanisms of Sn‐containing perovskites and develop mitigation strategies. This review provides a compendious overview of degradation pathways observed in Sn‐containing perovskites, attributing to intrinsic factors related to the materials themselves and environmental factors such as light, heat, moisture, oxygen, and their combined effects. The impact of interface and electrode materials on the stability of Sn‐containing PSCs is also discussed. Additionally, various strategies to mitigate the instability issue of Sn‐containing PSCs are summarized. Lastly, the challenges and prospects for achieving durable Sn‐containing PSCs are presented.

Bandgap gradient is a promising approach to improve the open-circuit voltage in thin film solar cells. Here, authors incorporate a Cd(O,S,Se,Te) region to realize the bandgap gradient at front interface and demonstrate Cd(Se,Te) solar cells with reduced recombination and a champion efficiency of 20.03%.

Spatiotemporal dynamic of charge carriers is commonly studied with optical or photoconductivity measurements, yet these techniques come with their own limitations. To circumvent these limits, the authors probe the free-carrier diffusion dynamics of microsecond lifetimes via laser-illuminated microwave impedance microscopy.

Symbolic regression holds big promise for guiding materials design, yet its application in materials science is still limited. Here the authors use symbolic regression to introduce an activity descriptor predicting new oxide perovskites with improved oxygen evolution activity as corroborated by experimental validation.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) represent one of the most promising emerging photovoltaic technologies due to their high power conversion efficiency. However, despite the huge progress made not only in terms of the efficiency achieved, but also fundamental understanding of the relevant physics of the devices and issues which affect their efficiency and stability, there are still unresolved problems and obstacles on the path toward commercialization of this promising technology. In this roadmap, we aim to provide a concise and up to date summary of outstanding issues and challenges, and the progress made toward addressing these issues. While the format of this article is not meant to be a comprehensive review of the topic, it provides a collection of the viewpoints of the experts in the field, which covers a broad range of topics related to PSC commercialization, including those relevant for manufacturing (scaling up, different types of devices), operation and stability (various factors), and environmental issues (in particular the use of lead). We hope that the article will provide a useful resource for researchers in the field and that it will facilitate discussions and move forward toward addressing the outstanding challenges in this fast-developing field.

Despite the rapid progress on perovskite light emitting diodes (PeLEDs), the efficiency of blue PeLEDs is lagging behind. Here Wang et al. employ yttrium (III) chloride additive to yield enhanced photoluminescence in the perovskite materials and thus record high device efficiencies for sky-blue and blue PeLEDs.

Strong terahertz (THz) emission from the methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite semiconductors has been observed following above-bandgap photoexcitation, yet local THz responses of crystalline microstructures are absent. We implement laser THz emission microscope (LTEM), yet-to-be applied to the perovskite semiconductors, as a novel and complementary tool to evaluate the electronic and grain heterogeneity of MAPbI3 thin films. Two MAPbI3 samples with different grain sizes are studied. Using this approach, we show that the one with a larger grain size gives more uniform THz radiation. More significant spatial THz intensity fluctuation is observed for the sample with a smaller grain size.

We use cryogenic spatial–temporal photoluminescence (PL) imaging measurements down to 10 K and with short-wavelength, 405 nm laser excitation to study surface charge generation, trapping, and recombination at single bright and dark grains as well as their boundaries in model methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) polycrystalline thin films. These salient conditions are shown to be critical for identifying both the detrimental and cooperative roles of grain microstructures where the dark grains serve as the PL quenching center, while the grain boundaries are largely benign and may promote electron–hole separation.

All-inorganic cesium lead bromide perovskite based light-emitting diodes show improved operational stability but the film quality limits their performance. Here Wang et al. use trifluoroacetate anions to passivate defects and achieve excellent device performance and stability.

Optoelectronic devices based on organic–inorganic halide perovskites show promising performance, but their poor stability impedes the commercialization. Here Lin et al. show that excess free charges are detrimental and efficient charge-carrier extraction is necessary for improved device stability.

Summary: Electrodeposition (ED) technology is a low-cost industrial candidate for solar cell fabrication. However, the practical aspects of controlling deposit morphology and composition have not been significantly addressed because of the complex co-plating variables that still need to be understood for multinary alloy ED. This work addresses these practical aspects on how to control composition and deposit morphology using co-electrodeposited kesterite alloy precursors as a case study. The alloy precursors co-plated under the optimized conditions from a mixed thiosulfate-sulfite electrolyte bath show uniform, smooth, and compact film morphology as well as uniform distribution of composition, well suited for efficient kesterite absorbers, finally delivering a Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin-film solar cell with 7.4% efficiency based on a configuration Mo/CZTS/CdS/ZnO/aluminum-doped ZnO. This work underscores that alloy ED, with the advantage of controllable composition and morphology, holds promise for low-cost industrial manufacture of thin-film solar cells. : Energy Materials; Energy Sustainability; Materials Chemistry Subject Areas: Energy Materials, Energy Sustainability, Materials Chemistry

Abstract Up to now, multijunction cell design is the only successful way demonstrated to overcome the Shockley–Quiesser limit for single solar cells. Perovskite materials have been attracting ever‐increasing attention owing to their large absorption coefficient, tunable bandgap, low cost, and easy fabrication process. With their rapidly increased power conversion efficiency, organic–inorganic metal halide perovskite‐based solar cells have demonstrated themselves as the most promising candidates for next‐generation photovoltaic applications. In fact, it is a dream come true for researchers to finally find a perfect top‐cell candidate in tandem device design in commercially developed solar cells like single‐crystalline silicon and CIGS cells used as the bottom component cells. Here, the recent progress of multijunction solar cells is reviewed, including perovskite/silicon, perovskite/CIGS, perovskite/perovskite, and perovskite/polymer multijunction cells. In addition, some perspectives on using these solar cells in emerging markets such as in portable devices, Internet of Things, etc., as well as an outlook for perovskite‐based multijunction solar cells are discussed.

Using a CdTe x Se1−x alloy in CdTe solar cells leads to better performances. Here, Poplawsky et al. show that the photoactive properties of the alloy depend on its chemical composition and structural properties, and derive a phase diagram to further optimize alloy growth for photovoltaic devices.

Atom probe tomography (APT) data acquired from a CAMECA LEAP 4000 XHR for the CdS/CdTe interface for a non-CdCl2 treated CdTe solar cell as well as the mass spectrum of an APT data set including a GB in a CdCl2-treated CdTe solar cell are presented. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data showing the evolution of sample preparation for APT and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) electron beam induced current (EBIC) are also presented. These data show mass spectrometry peak decomposition of Cu and Te within an APT dataset, the CdS/CdTe interface of an untreated CdTe solar cell, preparation of APT needles from the CdS/CdTe interface in superstrate grown CdTe solar cells, and the preparation of a cross-sectional STEM EBIC sample. Keywords: Scanning electron microscopy, Atom probe tomography, Mass spectroscopy, Solar cells

Mixed tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) based perovskite thin films have been prepared by solution processing combining methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) and formamidinium tin iodide (FASnI3) precursors. Optical response in the form of complex dielectric function (ε = ε1 + iε2) spectra and absorption coefficient (α) spectra of (FASnI3)1-x(MAPbI3)x based perovskite films have been extracted over a spectral range 0.74 to 5.89 eV using spectroscopic ellipsometry. Absorption band edge energy changes as a function of composition for films including FASnI3, MAPbI3, and mixed x = 0.20, 0.35, 0.40, and 0.6 (FASnI3)1-x(MAPbI3)x perovskites. (FASnI3)0.60(MAPbI3)0.4 is found to have the minimum absorption band edge energy near ∼1.2 eV.

Nature Communications 7: Article number: 12537 (2016); Published: 27 July 2016; Updated: 2 September 2016 In Fig. 6 of this article, the division between the zincblende and wurtzite phases is misplaced in the low temperature range. The correct version of Fig. 6 appears below as Fig. 1.