Surface and interface properties of next generation solar cells

有机金属卤化物钙钛矿量子点（PQD）被认为是用于下一代太阳能电池的最有前途的材料之一。PQD具有可调带隙，强光吸收系数，高缺陷容限和低非辐射复合率，可以帮助在对可再生能源需求从未如此大的世界中彻底改变光化学。然而，PQD在环境条件下的稳定性很差;因此，如果PQD太阳能电池要进入商业设备，了解所涉及的降解机制并研究封装等钝化方法至关重要。因此，有必要研究PQD薄膜最上层的几个原子层与大气的反应。在该项目期间，将研究各种钝化技术，重点是封装方法，并将使用一系列先进的表面光谱学对所生产的材料进行表征，包括硬X射线光电子能谱（HAXPES）和近环境压力X射线光电子能谱（NAP-XPS）。这项工作福尔斯属于EPSRC的能源主题，与凝聚态：电子结构、能源应用材料、太阳能技术和表面科学研究领域有关。

Organometal halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) are considered one of the most promising materials for use in next-generation solar cells. With tunable bandgaps, strong light-absorption coefficients, high defect tolerance and low non-radiative recombination rates, PQDs could help revolutionize photovoltaics in a world where the demand for renewable energy has never been greater. However, the stability of PQDs in ambient conditions is poor; thus, understanding the degradation mechanisms involved and investigating passivation methods such as encapsulation is of paramount importance if PQD solar cells are to make their way into commercial devices. It is necessary, therefore, to study the reactions of the topmost few atomic layers of PQD films with the atmosphere. During this project, various passivation techniques will be investigated, with emphasis on encapsulation methods, and the materials produced will be characterized using a range of advanced surface spectroscopies, including hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) and near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS). The work falls under the EPSRC energy theme, and is relevant to condensed matter: electronic structure, materials for energy applications, solar technology and surface science research areas.