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Copper (Cu) is present not only in the electrode for inverted-structure halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) but also in transport layers such as copper iodide (CuI), copper thiocyanate (CuSCN), and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) alternatives to spiro-OMeTAD due to their improved thermal stability. While Cu or Cu-incorporated materials have been effectively utilized in halide perovskites, there is a lack of thorough investigation on the direct reaction between Cu and a perovskite under thermal stress. In this study, we investigated the thermal reaction between Cu and a perovskite as well as the degradation mechanism by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). The results show that high temperatures of 100 °C induce Cu to be incorporated into the perovskite lattice by forming "Cu-rich yet organic A-site-poor" perovskites, (Cu

Solar cells made from Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTS)-derived materials have been widely studied for their favourable material properties utilized in photovoltaic energy conversion.

Slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS) realized on commercial materials provides various functionalities, such as corrosion resistance, condensation heat transfer, anti-fouling, de/anti-icing, and self-cleaning. In particular, perfluorinated lubricants infused in fluorocarbon-coated porous structures have showed exceptional performances with durability; however, they caused several issues in safety, due to their difficulty in degradation and bio-accumulation. Here, we introduce a new approach to create the multifunctional lubricant-impregnated surface with edible oils and fatty acid, which are also safe to human body and degradable in nature. The edible oil-impregnated anodized nanoporous stainless steel surface shows a significantly low contact angle hysteresis and sliding angle, which is similar with general surface of fluorocarbon lubricant-infused systems. The edible oil impregnated in the hydrophobic nanoporous oxide surface also inhibits the direct contact of external aqueous solution to a solid surface structure. Due to such de-wetting property caused by a lubricating effect of edible oils, the edible oil-impregnated stainless steel surface shows enhanced corrosion resistance, anti-biofouling and condensation heat transfer with reduced ice adhesion.

The optoelectronic performance of organic-inorganic halide perovskite (OIHP)-based devices has been improved in recent years. Particularly, solar cells fabricated using mixed-cations and mixed-halides have outperformed their single-cation and single-halide counterparts. Yet, a systematic evaluation of the microstructural behavior of mixed perovskites is missing despite their known composition-dependent photoinstability. Here, we explore microstructural inhomogeneity in (FAPbI

Greater stability of low-dimensional halide perovskites as opposed to their three-dimensional counterparts, alongside their high extinction coefficient and thus excellent emission properties, have made them popular candidates for optoelectronic applications. Topological edges are found in two-dimensional perovskites that show distinct electronic properties. In this work, using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, performed on butylammonium lead bromide (BA2PbBr4) single crystals with optical bandgap of ~413 nm, we elucidate the electronic response of the edges and their potential impact on photodetector devices. We show that the charge-carriers are accumulated at the edges, increasing with the edge height. Wavelength-dependent surface photovoltage (SPV) measurements reveal that multiple sub-bandgap states exist in BA2PbBr4. As the edge height increases, the SPV amplitude at the edges reduces slightly more as compared to the adjacent regions, known as terraces, indicating relatively less reduction in band-bending at the surface due possibly to increased de-population of electrons from sub-bandgap states in the upper bandgap half. The existence of sub-bandgap states is further confirmed by the observation of below-bandgap emission (absorption) peaks characterised by spectral photoluminescence and photothermal deflection spectroscopy measurements. Finally, we fabricated a photodetector using a millimetre size BA2PbBr4 single crystal. Noticeable broadband photodetection response was observed in the sub-bandgap regions under green and red illumination, which is attributed to the existence of sub-bandgap states. Our observations suggest edge-height dependence of charge-carrier behaviour in BA2PbBr4 single crystals, a potential pathway that can be exploited for efficient broadband photodetector fabrication.

Kesterite-based thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) have recently gained significant attention in the photovoltaic (PV) sector for their elemental earth abundance and low toxicity. An inclusive study fro...

Charge carrier transport in materials is of essential importance for photovoltaic and photonic applications. Here, the authors demonstrate a controllable acceleration or deceleration of charge carrier transport in specially structured metal-alloy perovskite (MACs)PbI

In this study, we prepared three kesterite thin-film solar cells, Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe), Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe), and Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS), and based on low light intensity measurements, examined the possibility of using kesterite devices for indoor applications. Interestingly, all the prepared cells exhibited nearly the same device efficiency under standard test conditions of 1 sun; however, under illumination with low-intensity halogen and LED lamps (200–400 lux), the power output of CZTSSe was twice that of CZTSe and CZTS. CZTSe (58%) and CZTS (37%) showed relatively larger open-circuit voltage drops than CZTSSe (29%). Suns–Voc measurements revealed that the ideality factor of CZTS and CZTSe increased as the light intensity decreased, which indicates severe recombination caused by deep-level defects at low light intensities. Furthermore, admittance spectroscopy measurements revealed that CZTSe and CZTS have deep trap energy levels, whereas CZTSSe has comparatively shallower trap energy levels; this validates the rapid open-circuit voltage drop under low light intensity conditions. Kelvin probe force microscopy measurements showed that CZTSSe exhibited a higher photovoltage (86 mV) under illumination at 400 lux compared with that under dark conditions. In addition, our results indicated that the CZTSSe sample showed relatively much higher charge separation at GBs (grain boundaries) owing to the downward band bending at the GBs. The findings revealed that for deeper energy levels, the open-circuit voltage reduction was faster; in addition, an absorber layer with shallower defects and efficient charge separation at the GBs can induce high power conversion efficiency under low-light conditions.

Summary Development of efficient solar cells under indoor light has attracted tremendous attention because of the Internet of Things revolution. Here we investigate the effect of chlorine in perovskite precursors for indoor light applications. Use of chlorine has an effect on the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells, especially under low-intensity indoor light. Based on the characterization of leakage current, crystalline structure, and Urbach tail, we reveal that chlorine doping of the perovskite layer influences the movement of photo-generated carriers and ions because of the smaller bulk defects in perovskite. In particular, we suggest that chlorine doping in perovskite facilitates hole extraction on its top surface and contributes to suppression of ion migration and non-radiative recombination, as confirmed by Kelvin probe force microscopy measurements. We demonstrate high performance of perovskite solar cells with a maximum power density of 35.25 (231.78) μW/cm2 under 400 lux light-emitting diode (halogen) illumination.

We report on a technique using mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to finely regulate ambipolar charge injection in polymer organic field-effect transistors. Differing from the other works that employ single SAM specifically for efficient charge injection in p-type and n-type transistors, we blend two different SAMs of alkyl- and perfluoroalkyl thiols at different ratios and apply them to ambipolar OFETs and inverter. Thanks to the utilization of ambipolar semiconductor and one SAM mixture, the device and circuit fabrications are facile with only one step for semiconductor deposition and another for SAM treatment. This is much simpler with respect to the conventional scheme for the unipolar-device-based complementary circuitry that demands separate deposition and processing for individual p-channel and n-channel transistors. Our results show that the mixed-SAM treatments not only improve ambipolar charge injection manifesting as higher hole- and electron-mobility and smaller threshold voltage but also gradually tune the device characteristics to reach a desired condition for circuit application. Therefore, this simple but useful approach is promising for ambipolar electronics.

The production of unfunctionalized and nonoxidized graphene by exfoliation of graphite in a volatile solvent, 1-propanol, is reported. A stable homogeneous dispersion of graphene was obtained by mild sonication of graphite powder and subsequent centrifugation. The presence of a graphene monolayer was observed by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The solvent, 1-propanol, from the deposited dispersion was simply and quickly removed by air drying at room temperature, without the help of high temperature annealing or vacuum drying, which shortens production time and does not leave any residue of the solvent in the graphene sheets.