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Thermally induced structural evolution and performance of mesoporous block copolymer-directed alumina perovskite solar cells.

Thermally induced structural evolution and performance of mesoporous block copolymer-directed alumina perovskite solar cells.

ACS nano (2014-04-02)

Kwan Wee Tan, David T Moore, Michael Saliba, Hiroaki Sai, Lara A Estroff, Tobias Hanrath, Henry J Snaith, Ulrich Wiesner

ABSTRACT

Structure control in solution-processed hybrid perovskites is crucial to design and fabricate highly efficient solar cells. Here, we utilize in situ grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the structural evolution and film morphologies of methylammonium lead tri-iodide/chloride (CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x)) in mesoporous block copolymer derived alumina superstructures during thermal annealing. We show the CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x) material evolution to be characterized by three distinct structures: a crystalline precursor structure not described previously, a 3D perovskite structure, and a mixture of compounds resulting from degradation. Finally, we demonstrate how understanding the processing parameters provides the foundation needed for optimal perovskite film morphology and coverage, leading to enhanced block copolymer-directed perovskite solar cell performance.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

Supelco

Dehydrated Alcohol, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) isopropoxide, packaged for use in deposition systems

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Nitric-¹⁴N acid solution, ~10 N in H₂O, 99.99 atom % ¹⁴N

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N,N-Dimethylformamide, analytical standard

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Chloroform, analytical standard

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Tetrahydrofuran, analytical standard

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Aluminum oxide, activated, neutral, Brockmann Activity I

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Tetrahydrofuran, Selectophore^™, ≥99.5%

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1-Butanol, anhydrous, 99.8%

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Methylamine solution, 2.0 M in THF

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Methylamine solution, 2.0 M in methanol

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Titanium(IV) isopropoxide, 99.999% trace metals basis

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Titanium(IV) isopropoxide, ≥97.0%

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Ethanol solution, certified reference material, 2000 μg/mL in methanol

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Titanium(IV) isopropoxide, 97%

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1-Butanol, for molecular biology, ≥99%

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N,N-Dimethylformamide, for molecular biology, ≥99%

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Chloroform, ≥99%, PCR Reagent, contains amylenes as stabilizer

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Chloroform, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

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1-Butanol, puriss. p.a., ACS reagent, reag. ISO, reag. Ph. Eur., ≥99.5% (GC)

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1-Butanol, analytical standard