Synchrotron-Based techniques for analysis of perovskite solar cells

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been proven as promising material, owing to their remarkable performance attained in the field of photovoltaic (PV) and optoelectronics. These materials possess direct band gaps, high absorption coefficient, low exciton binding energy, and long carrier diffusion lengths. However, the primary electronic structure, size and spatial distribution, and other significant properties of perovskite materials are not fully understood due to a lack of precise and high-spatiotemporal resolution characterization techniques. A synchrotron provides high-brilliance X-ray beams that can easily penetrate deeper into the matter to explore the material's properties at the atomic or molecular level within a short time. Herein, we discuss synchrotron techniques for determining the structure and properties of perovskite materials within the bulk, at the surfaces and the interfaces. This chapter is dedicated to providing the latest findings on developing synchrotron-based techniques tailored for PSC. The method of characterization is also discussed with sample preparation. Finally, we focused on the state-of-the-art strategies for gaining in-depth knowledge of mechanism enhancing the photovoltaic performance and providing decisive answers to the outstanding science problems in the perovskite field, pushing forward technological development.