Effect of Bathocuproine Concentration on the Photovoltaic Performance of NiOx-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Bathocuproine (BCP) (2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) is a well-known material that is employed as a hole-blocking layer between electron transport layer (ETL) and metal electrode in perovskite solar cells. It has been demonstrated that the use of BCP as a buffer layer between the ETL and the metal electrode in perovskite solar cells is highly beneficial. In literature, BCP is coated using vacuum processing techniques. Vacuum processing techniques require more energy and cost-effective processing conditions. In this work, we used BCP layers processed through wet processing techniques using sol-gel method with different concentrations. We achieved a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 16.1 mA/cm2 and an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 875 mV were acquired and a fill factor (FF) of 0.37 was calculated for perovskite solar cells without a BCP layer leading to a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.32 % whereas Jsc of 19 mA/cm2, Voc of 990 mV were achieved and a FF of 0.5 was calculated for perovskite solar cells employing BCP layers with concentration of 0.5 mg/ml and spin cast at 4000 rpm, leading to a PCE of 9.4 %. It has been observed that the use of a BCP layer with an optimized concentration led to an improved device performance with an increase of 77 % in PCE in ambient air under high humidity conditions for planar structure perovskite solar cells in the configuration of ITO/NiOx/MAPbI3/PCBM/BCP/Ag. Resumen. Batocuproina (BCP) (2,9-dimetil-4,7-difenil-1,10-fenantrolina) es un material que se emplea como capa de bloqueo de huecos entre la capa transportadora de electrones (ETL) y el electrodo metálico en celdas solares basados en perovskitas. Se ha demostrado que el uso de BCP como capa amortiguadora entre el ETL y el electrodo metálico en las celdas solares de perovskita es beneficioso. Comúnmente el BCP se recubre mediante técnicas de procesamiento al vacío, las cuales requieren altos costos energéticos. En este trabajo utilizamos capas de BCP procesadas mediante técnicas de procesamiento húmedo utilizando el método sol-gel. Logramos una densidad de corriente de cortocircuito (Jsc) de 16.1 mA / cm2 y un voltaje de circuito abierto (Voc) de 875 mV y se calculó un factor de llenado (FF) de 0.37 para las celdas solares de perovskita sin una capa de BCP lo que conduce a una eficiencia de conversión de energía (PCE) de 5.32%. Para celdas solares de perovskita que emplean capas de BCP con concentración de 0.5 mg/ml y centrifugado a 4000 rpm el valor de Jsc fue de 19 mA / cm2, se lograron Voc de 990 mV y se calculó un FF de 0.5, lo que lleva a un PCE del 9,4%. Se observó que el uso de una capa de BCP con concentración optimizada puede conducir a un rendimiento mejorado del dispositivo con un aumento del 77% en PCE en el aire ambiente, en condiciones de alta humedad, para celdas solares de perovskita de estructura plana en la configuración de ITO / NiOx / MAPbI3 / PCBM / BCP / Ag.

EFFECT OF VACUM TREATMENT ON TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF HEAT-RESISTANT CERAMZYT-CONCRETE ON COMPOSITIONAL BINDING

Objectives The aim of the study is to study the effect of vacuum treatment, heating temperature, mixing time and load force on the strength of heat-resistant expanded clay concrete for lining thermal units.Method The study is based on the vacuum processing technology of heat-resistant concrete based on a composite binder for lining the hearth of a trolley of a brick kiln, vacuum-packed concrete mix.Result The effect of vacuum processing of the mixture on the technological properties of heat-resistant expanded clay concrete on a composite binder made from Portland cement and finely ground expanded clay activated in a planetary mill (Activator-4M) is investigated. Compositions have been developed and the technological properties of expanded clay concrete have been investigated depending on the heating temperature and the amount of finely ground additives.Conclusion The results of the analysis of the dependence of the strength of expanded clay concrete on the heating temperature, the mixing time and the load strength confirm that the concrete strength indicators during evacuation are higher than for concrete without vacuum treatment; the increase in concrete strength after vacuum treatment under various technological exposure conditions is explained by an increase in workability indicators, which is characterized by the mobility and stiffness of the concrete mixture, denser packing of aggregate in the concrete structure, and also the large effect of vacuum compaction associated with the suction of water and air as well as static sealing due to the difference in atmospheric pressure and vacuum cavity pressure. The magnitude of the effective force reaches 70-75 kN / m2 with the removal of water and air from the vacuum surface; the pressure transmitted to the concrete is reduced, since part of the load is spent on determining the forces of internal friction and the development of contact stresses in the solid phase.