E-Thesis 293 views
Towards Ultra-Thin Flexible Silicon Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells / MICHAEL SPENCE
Swansea University Author: MICHAEL SPENCE
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.64013
Abstract
Perovskite silicon tandem cells integrate perovskite into established silicon photovoltaic manufacturing and can boost efficiencies beyond 30 %. These devices do not yet capitalise on two important advantages of perovskite cells – the ability to produce thin flexible devices and economical material...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2023
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Carnie, Matthew J. and Bryant, Christian H. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64013 |
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| Abstract: |
Perovskite silicon tandem cells integrate perovskite into established silicon photovoltaic manufacturing and can boost efficiencies beyond 30 %. These devices do not yet capitalise on two important advantages of perovskite cells – the ability to produce thin flexible devices and economical material usage. So called ‘kerfless’ silicon wafering processes can be used to produce ultra-thin silicon wafers with very low material usage that can be used to make flexible silicon cells which make natural tandem partners for perovskites. In this thesis the design and processing of a flexible silicon-perovskite tandem cell are explored in detail.Silicon-perovskite tandems were developed on thick wafers using mainly solution processed, all low temperature (<130 °C) perovskite top cell manufacturing which can be applied to flexible structures. Parasitic optical losses in the perovskite top cell were reduced. It is demonstrated in NIP tandem cells that replacement of the spiro-OMeTAD layer with CuSCN or PTAA can improve the transmittance of the HTL significantly from 66 to 81 %. To address reflection losses resulting from the planar silicon bottom cell, flexible textured anti-reflective foils were developed which were shown to increase JSC in both silicon and perovskite sub-cells by 3 – 5 %.Flexible 10 μm thick silicon wafers were produced by the porous bilayer epitaxial lift-off method with optimisation carried out on the porous bilayer structure to enable successful lift-off. Creation of the junction, bulk and back surface field were all achieved through the bilayer and epitaxy processes with no further doping steps required. While time constraints prevented production of a functioning flexible silicon-perovskite tandem, the various processing aspects are explored in detail. A technique was developed to cleave the entire device from the growth substrate utilising a transparent, flexible adhesive electrode. A pathway towards realisation of flexible silicon-perovskite tandem cells is presented with these device structures showing great promise. |
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| Keywords: |
Perovskite, Photovoltaics, Solar, Flexible, Tandem, PV, Silicon |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |