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The use of a solution process to grow perovskite thin films allows to extend the material processability. It is known that the physicochemical properties of the perovskite material can be tuned by altering the solution precursors as well as by controlling the crystal growth of the film. This advancement necessarily implies the need for an understanding of the kinetic phenomena for the thin-film formation. Therefore, in this work we review the state of the art of perovskite hybrid crystal growth, starting from a comprehensive theoretical description towards broad experimental investigations. One part of the study focuses on rapid thermal annealing as a tool to control nucleation and crystal growth. We deduce that controlling crystal growth with high-precision photonic sintering simplifies the experimental framework required to understand perovskite crystallization. These types of synthesis methods open a new empirical parameter space. All this knowledge serves to improve the perovskite synthesis and the thin films' quality, which will result in higher device performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new tandem electrolyte composed of two redox pairs, the organic radical 2-azaadamantane-N-oxyl (AZ) and the well-known redox pair [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ was investigated in dye sensitized solar cells. Importantly, an increase in VOC was achieved using the new tandem redox system with values up to 1007 mV, compared to only 896 mV for the reference [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ couple. Consequently, the tandem electrolytes presented higher device performance in conjunction with the organic dye XY1. It was determined that the VOC improvement is mainly attributed to the combined effect of two factors: the more positive redox potential of the small donor AZ (0.81 V vs. SHE) and improved recombination resistance in the tandem electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photopolymerization of Co(ii)/Co(iii) complexes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by means of a fast, inexpensive, in situ and inhibition-free process has been examined. We have succeeded in fabricating high-performance DSSCs able to retain a light-to-electricity power conversion efficiency exceeding 6.5% (8.5% at low intensity) after 1800 h of mixed (light on/off, temperature high/low) accelerated aging tests, thus revealing a possible way for the stabilization of these record-holding redox pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]