Comparative Study of Perovskite Solar Cell Encapsulation Using Two Different Rubbers As Edge Seals To Withstand Harsh External Environment

Abstract

Photovoltaic cells for generating solar energy is therefore the richest source of renewable energy in as much as it is available and malleable for use. Among the most explored and achieved domains in solar cell technology is the development and enhancement of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The materials selection of PSCs in the active light-harvesting layer is mainly characterized by its remarkably direct bandgap, and broadband light absorption that also withstands defects. Nonetheless, there are some issues, and the main ones are related to stability and performance. First attempts to use liquid electrolytes as HTL revealed stability issues and led to further investigations of potential solutions. Lithium salts dissolved in organic solvents became too thick to maintain a good ionic structure, making them unsuitable for applications Solid-state HTLs offered a solution by greatly enhancing stability and PCE. Further progress has been made with structural changes, new materials, and inventions in fabrication technologies that have a great impact on improving performance. Notably, recent achievements have seen PCE soar to 25.8%, surpassing established commercial PV technologies. However, stability remains a concern, with ongoing efforts focused on mitigating interface defects to enhance longevity. As the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells are concerned. We experimented with the solvent-engineering technology and synthesized MALI perovskite using two different approaches. In one approach we synthesized MALI using only DMF as a solvent and in another approach, we synthesized MALI using a mixture of solvents DMF plus DMSO. We hypothesized that changing the solvent from only DMF to DMF plus DMSO would affect the stability of the perovskite film. Films that are prepared by using a mixture of 2 solvents DMF plus DMSO show higher absorbance overall, especially in the shorter wavelength range (350 to 550 nm). From these UV visible spectra, we deduce that the addition of DMSO to the DMF as solvent improves the interaction of film with electromagnetic radiation in the visible region as compared to the films made by using only DMF as solvent. The FTIR-spectrum of perovskite material synthesized by using only DMF solvent shows the peak at the position of 1659 per cm of carbon double bond oxygen stretching also shows the peak of N-H stretching to confirm the presence of methylammonium ion. The FTIR spectrum of perovskite material synthesized by using DMF plus DMSO as solvent shows the additional peak ate 1059 per cm of S double bond O stretching. Also, the shift in the peak of MALI is shown due to the formation of the MALI-DMSO complex and this complex formation also leads to the stretching of N-H and Pb-I peaks. The addition of DMSO to the DMF solvent led to the formation of MAI-DMSO complex and PbI- DMSO complex mainly due to hydrogen bonding among them which further led to the addition of peaks in FTIR spectra and stretching of already exiting peaks from their position, especially of N-H and Pb-I peaks. Films synthesized by using a mixture of solvents DMF plus DMSO show more pointed and spiky peaks which shows the presence of a higher degree of order or we can say crystallinity in these films. Those that are synthesized by using only DMF as solvent show more expended and broader peaks which shows the presence of less degree of order or less crystallinity and more defects in its structure. Heating the film at 80 degrees which is synthesized by using both DMF and DMSO solvent shows the improved film quality and phase purity as evidenced by XRD spectra.