Effects of alkali and transition metal-doped TiO2 hole blocking layers on the perovskite solar cells obtained by a two-step sequential deposition method in air and under vacuum

U. Nwankwo; Siphelo Ngqoloda; Agnes C. Nkele; Christopher J. Arendse; Kenneth I. Ozoemena; A. B. C. Ekwealor; Rajan Jose; Malik Maaza; Fabian I. Ezema

doi:10.1039/D0RA01532F

Effects of alkali and transition metal-doped TiO₂ hole blocking layers on the perovskite solar cells obtained by a two-step sequential deposition method in air and under vacuum†

U. Nwankwo,^abcd Siphelo Ngqoloda,^e Agnes C. Nkele,^a Christopher J. Arendse,

^e Kenneth I. Ozoemena,

^f A. B. C. Ekwealor,^a Rajan Jose,

^g Malik Maaza^cd and Fabian I. Ezema

*^acd

Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

^a Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria
E-mail: fabian.ezema@unn.edu.ng

^b Department of Physics/Geology/Geophysics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria

^c Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West 7129, P.O. Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, South Africa

^d UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa

^e Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, South Africa

^f Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, P O Wits, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

^g Nanostructured Renewable Energy Materials Laboratory, Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

Planar perovskite solar cells (PPSCs) have received great attention in recent years due to their intriguing properties, which make them a good choice for photovoltaic applications. In this work, the effect of alkali and transition metal-doped TiO₂ (cesium-doped TiO₂ (Cs-TiO₂) and yttrium-doped TiO₂ (Y-TiO₂)) compact layers on the optical, structural and the photovoltaic performance of the PPSCs have been investigated. The perovskite layer syntheses were carried out by depositing a lead iodide (PbI₂) layer via spin-coating; converting PbI₂ into methyl ammonium iodide (CH₃NH₃PbI₃) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and spin-coating at 60 min and 60 s conversion times respectively. The as-deposited PPSCs were studied layer-by-layer using an X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance, transmittance and absorbance. The power conversion efficiency for stable processed perovskite solar cells were 3.61% and 12.89% for air and vacuum processed, respectively.

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Effects of alkali and transition metal-doped TiO₂ hole blocking layers on the perovskite solar cells obtained by a two-step sequential deposition method in air and under vacuum†

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Effects of alkali and transition metal-doped TiO₂ hole blocking layers on the perovskite solar cells obtained by a two-step sequential deposition method in air and under vacuum

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