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Pd(II)/Pd(IV) redox shuttle to suppress vacancy defects at grain boundaries for efficient kesterite solar cells

Author

Listed:
  • Jinlin Wang

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiangjian Shi

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS))

  • Kang Yin

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fanqi Meng

    (Peking University)

  • Shanshan Wang

    (Fudan University)

  • Licheng Lou

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiazheng Zhou

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiao Xu

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Huijue Wu

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS))

  • Yanhong Luo

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory)

  • Dongmei Li

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory)

  • Shiyou Chen

    (Fudan University)

  • Qingbo Meng

    (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Charge loss at grain boundaries of kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)4 polycrystalline absorbers is an important cause limiting the performance of this emerging thin-film solar cell. Herein, we report a Pd element assisted reaction strategy to suppress atomic vacancy defects in GB regions. The Pd, on one hand in the form of PdSex compounds, can heterogeneously cover the GBs of the absorber film, suppressing Sn and Se volatilization loss and the formation of their vacancy defects (i.e. VSn and VSe), and on the other hand, in the form of Pd(II)/Pd(IV) redox shuttle, can assist the capture and exchange of Se atoms, thus contributing to eliminating the already-existing VSe defects within GBs. These collective effects have effectively reduced charge recombination loss and enhanced p-type characteristics of the kesterite absorber. As a result, high-performance kesterite solar cells with a total-area efficiency of 14.5% (certified at 14.3%) have been achieved.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinlin Wang & Jiangjian Shi & Kang Yin & Fanqi Meng & Shanshan Wang & Licheng Lou & Jiazheng Zhou & Xiao Xu & Huijue Wu & Yanhong Luo & Dongmei Li & Shiyou Chen & Qingbo Meng, 2024. "Pd(II)/Pd(IV) redox shuttle to suppress vacancy defects at grain boundaries for efficient kesterite solar cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-48850-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48850-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chang Yan & Jialiang Huang & Kaiwen Sun & Steve Johnston & Yuanfang Zhang & Heng Sun & Aobo Pu & Mingrui He & Fangyang Liu & Katja Eder & Limei Yang & Julie M. Cairney & N. J. Ekins-Daukes & Ziv Hamei, 2018. "Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells with over 10% power conversion efficiency enabled by heterojunction heat treatment," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(9), pages 764-772, September.
    2. Yuancai Gong & Qiang Zhu & Bingyan Li & Shanshan Wang & Biwen Duan & Licheng Lou & Chunxu Xiang & Erin Jedlicka & Rajiv Giridharagopal & Yage Zhou & Qi Dai & Weibo Yan & Shiyou Chen & Qingbo Meng & Ha, 2022. "Elemental de-mixing-induced epitaxial kesterite/CdS interface enabling 13%-efficiency kesterite solar cells," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(10), pages 966-977, October.
    3. Jianjun Li & Jialiang Huang & Fajun Ma & Heng Sun & Jialin Cong & Karen Privat & Richard F. Webster & Soshan Cheong & Yin Yao & Robert Lee Chin & Xiaojie Yuan & Mingrui He & Kaiwen Sun & Hui Li & Yaoh, 2022. "Unveiling microscopic carrier loss mechanisms in 12% efficient Cu2ZnSnSe4 solar cells," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(8), pages 754-764, August.
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