Materials and Sustainability

Materials and Sustainability: Materials' Contribution to Sustainable Living on Earth

2024-05-11T15:19:10+08:00

Editorial

Materials and Sustainability:
Materials’ Contribution to Sustainable Living on Earth

Lukas Schmidt-Mende

Department of Physics, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany, lukas.schmidt-mende@uni-konstanz.de

Received: 2 May 2024; Accepted: 6 May 2024; Published: 11 May 2024

“Green” Fabrication of High-performance Transparent Conducting Electrodes by Blade Coating and Photonic Curing on PET for Perovskite Solar Cells

2024-10-14T11:28:33+08:00

Article

“Green” Fabrication of High-performance Transparent Conducting Electrodes by Blade Coating and Photonic Curing on PET for Perovskite Solar Cells

Justin C. Bonner ^1,†, Robert T. Piper ^1,†, Bishal Bhandari ², Cody R. Allen ², Cynthia T. Bowers ^3,4, Melinda A. Ostendorf ^3,4, Matthew Davis ⁵, Marisol Valdez ⁶, Mark Lee ² and Julia W. P. Hsu ^1,∗

¹Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Road, RL-10, Richardson, TX 75080, USA

²Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080, USA

³Materials Characterization Facility at the Air Force Research Laboratory, 2941 Hobson Way, WPAFB, OH 45433, USA

⁴UES, Inc., a BlueHalo Company, 4401 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Dayton, OH 45432, USA

⁵Energy Materials Corporation, 1999 Lake Ave B82 Ste B304, Rochester, NY 14650, USA

⁶Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080, USA

* Correspondence: jwhsu@utdallas.edu

† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Received: 30 September 2024; Revised: 25 October 2024; Accepted: 30 October 2024; Published: 5 November 2024

Abstract: This study presents an innovative material processing approach to fabricate transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using blade coating and photonic curing. The hybrid TCEs consist of a multiscale Ag network, combining silver metal bus lines and nanowires, overcoated by an indium zinc oxide layer, and then photonically cured. Blade coating ensures film uniformity and thickness control over large areas. Photonic curing, a non-thermal processing method with significantly lower carbon emissions, enhances the conductivity and transparency of the coated layers. Our hybrid TCEs achieve an average transmittance of (81 ± 0.4)% referenced to air ((90 ± 0.4)% referenced to the PET substrate) in the visible range, an average sheet resistance of (11 ± 0.5) Ω sq⁻¹, and an average surface roughness of (4.3 ± 0.4) nm. We benchmark these values against commercial PET/TCE substrates. Mechanical durability tests demonstrate <3% change in resistance after 2000 bending cycles at a 1 in radius. The scalable potential of the hybrid TCE fabrication method is demonstrated by high uniformity and excellent properties in 7 in × 8 in large-area samples and by performing the photonic curing process at 11 m min⁻¹. Furthermore, halide perovskite solar cells fabricated on these hybrid TCEs achieve average and champion power conversion efficiencies of (10.5 ± 1.0) % and 12.2%, respectively, and significantly outperform devices made on commercial PET/TCEs. This work showcases our approach as a viable pathway for high-speed “green” manufacturing of high-performance TCEs on PET substrates for flexible optoelectronic devices.

High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cell with an Air-Processable Active Layer via Sequential Deposition

2024-12-05T17:09:23+08:00

Article

High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cell with an Air-Processable Active Layer via Sequential Deposition

Shih-Han Huang ^1,2, Chien-Te Tsou ³, Yu-Hung Hsiao ^2,4, Chia-Feng Li ^2,5, You-Ren Chen ³, Wei-Fang Su ^3,5,*, and Yu-Ching Huang ^1,2,3,*

¹ Center for Sustainability and Energy Technologies, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
² Organic Electronics Research Center, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan
³ Department of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan
⁴ Department of Electronic Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan
⁵ Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
^* Correspondence: suwf@ntu.edu.tw (W.-F.S.); huangyc@mail.mcut.edu.tw (Y.-C.H.)

Received: 4 December 2024; Revised: 26 December 2024; Accepted: 30 December 2024; Published: 2 January 2025

Abstract: The development of efficient, scalable, and low-cost photovoltaic technologies is critical for advancing global energy sustainability. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional single-junction silicon-based solar cells due to their high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and solution-processable active materials. However, conventional fabrication methods typically require inert environments and complex anti-solvent processes, which increase production costs and limit scalability. Sequential deposition offers a promising solution by decoupling the solidification and crystallization steps, thereby eliminating the need for anti-solvent processes. Despite these advantages, fabricating high-quality mixed-cation perovskite layers in air remains a significant challenge, primarily due to the sensitivity of perovskite materials to moisture, which disrupts phase stability and perovskite phase formation. In this study, we addressed these challenges by developing an air-processable perovskite layer using a sequential deposition process. To overcome moisture-induced issues, pre-heating the substrate was employed to reduce surface tension and improve film coverage. Furthermore, imidazole iodide (ImI) was introduced into the PbI₂ precursor to effectively cap Pb sites, preventing moisture interference and promoting a complete transition to the α-phase of formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI₃) without residual PbI₂ in air. These strategies enabled the production of PSCs in air achieving a champion PCE of 18.73%. Stability testing further demonstrated that PSCs incorporating ImI exhibited a T₈₀ device lifetime exceeding 500 hours. The finding demonstrates its role in moisture prevention and durability enhancement for the air-processable perovskite solar cells.

Demystifying the Potential of Anode-Less Alkali Metal Batteries: Uncovering the Role of Liquid and Solid Electrolyte Combinations

2025-01-02T17:04:31+08:00

Review

Demystifying the Potential of Anode-Less Alkali Metal Batteries: Uncovering the Role of Liquid and Solid Electrolyte Combinations

Shruti Kannan and Ananthakumar Ramadoss *

Advanced Research School for Technology & Product Simulation (ARSTPS), School for Advanced Research in Petrochemicals (SARP), Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), T.V.K. Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600032, India

* Correspondence: ananth@cipet.gov.in or ananth.cipet@gmail.com; Tel.: +91-8895001133

Received: 14 November 2024; Revised: 1 January 2025; Accepted: 23 January 2025; Published: 11 February 2025

Abstract: Contribution to sustainable energy can be effectively routed to decarbonise power generation and transport sectors, by augmenting the need for electrochemical energy storage devices such as batteries which can endow greater energy density, longevity and safety to the portable electronic devices. Particularly, anode-less alkali metal batteries (ALAMBs) are promising owing to their cost-effectiveness, ease of manufacturing, and utilizing a host anode renders the systems with recoupable gravimetric and volumetric energy densities. However, interfacial contact resistance, limited ion pathways, and the formation of dead alkali metals contribute to reduced cation utilization during repeated cycling, diminishing the long-term performance and practical viability of the system. In response, various strategies to optimize the deposition substrate, such as the anodic current collector, interface and electrolyte have been suggested to prolong cell lifespan. However, most of these approaches are still largely empirical and lack comprehensive diagnostic tools to unravel the complex relationship between the structural changes in the cathode and the nature of alkali metal deposition. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the contemporary improvements carried out in the design and engineering of ALAMBs highlighting the moderation approaches involving both liquid and solid electrolytes to enhance the cycle life, and safety greatly. Finally, the compensatory effects with prospects into the cycling protocols to realize the true energy density of the system are also systematically outlined.

Perovskite Thin Films Solar Cells: The Gas Quenching Method

2025-02-06T09:43:10+08:00

Review

Perovskite Thin Films Solar Cells: The Gas Quenching Method

Maria Azhar, Yenal Yalcinkaya, Daniele T. Cuzzupè, Yekitwork Abebe Temitmie, Muhammad Irfan Haider and Lukas Schmidt-Mende *

Department of Physics, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany

* Correspondence: lukas.schmidt-mende@uni-konstanz.de

Received: 18 November 2024; Revised: 6 January 2025; Accepted: 6 February 2025; Published: 10 February 2025

Abstract: Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are emerging as a promising technology for next-generation solar energy due to their high efficiency and cost-effectiveness. A critical step in the production of PSCs is the deposition of the perovskite absorber layer, the quality of which has a direct impact on the performance of device. Traditionally, quenching with an antisolvent is the main technique for the crystallization of perovskite film. However, gas quenching, an alternative approach in which pressurized gases (typically N₂) are used to supersaturate the perovskite precursor solution, has shown significant advantages. In contrast to quenching with antisolvents, gas quenching is more environmentally friendly, reduces chemical consumption, improves reproducibility, and offers better scalability for large-scale production. This review examines recent advances in gas quenching to produce high-quality perovskite films and compares the results with those achieved with antisolvent quenching. We highlight the performance benefits, environmental impact, and commercial scalability of gas quenching, and emphasize its potential to become the preferred method for industrial PSC production.

Stabilizing the Chemistry of NiO_x in Perovskite Solar Cells to Pass the Damp Heat Test

2025-03-18T16:44:26+08:00

Article

Stabilizing the Chemistry of NiO_x in Perovskite Solar Cells to Pass the Damp Heat Test

Marion Dussouillez ^1,2,*^,†, Mounir Mensi ³, Ivan Marozau ¹, Quentin Jeangros ¹, Sylvain Nicolay ^1,‡, Christophe Ballif ^1,2 and Adriana Paracchino ^1,*

¹CSEM Sustainable Energy Center, Rue Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland

²Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics, Institute of Electrical and Micro-Engineering (IEM), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Rue de la Maladière 71b, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland

³X-Ray Diffraction and Surface Analytics Platform, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Rue de l’Industrie 17, 1951 Sion, Switzerland

* Correspondence: marion.dussouillez@gmail.com (M.D.); adriana.paracchino@csem.ch (A.P.)

† Current address: Solarlab Aiko Europe GmbH, Berliner Allee 29, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

‡ Current address: Rolex S.A., David-Moning-Strasse 9, 2504 Biel, Switzerland

Received: 7 January 2025; Revised: 10 March 2025; Accepted: 13 March 2025; Published: 18 March 2025

Abstract: NiO_x is widely used as a hole transport material in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This wide band gap p-type material is conveniently deposited via high throughput RF-sputtering, making it suitable for the industrialization of PSCs. Nonetheless, for the cells to pass accelerated degradation tests such as the IEC 61215 damp heat (DH) test, the chemistry of the NiO_x film should remain constant at elevated temperaturs to preserve its optoelectronic properties. This study emphasizes that structural defects resulting from Ni vacancies in NiO_x lead to significant degradation of the PSCs after just a few hours of exposure to elevated temperatures (85 °C). We introduce here an approach to fine-tune the chemistry of the NiO_x film by adjusting the gas flow during sputtering deposition and by incorporating Cs. Through this control on the chemistry of the layer, the optimized NiO_x-based PSCs exhibit remarkable stability, with devices passing 5 times the IEC 61215 norm (<5% rel after 5000 h of DH testing) and also showing better stability under light soaking. XPS analysis reveals that the concentration of Ni³⁺ in the bulk of the standard NiO_x film is twice that in the optimized NiO_x. This suggests that the Ni³⁺ concentration, typically equal to the Ni vacancy concentration and beneficial for charge transport in NiO_x, may actually compromise the stability of the PSCs. Additionally, the film density of the optimized NiO_x film was significantly higher than that of the standard film.

Hierarchical Porous Carbon-Carbon Dot Architecture as a High Energy Density Cathode for Lithium-Metal Capacitors

2025-03-26T17:46:29+08:00

Article

Hierarchical Porous Carbon-Carbon Dot Architecture as a High Energy Density Cathode for Lithium-Metal Capacitors

Gayathry Ganesh ^1,2, Gokul Raj Deivendran ³, Vaishak Sunil ^1,2, Izan Izwan Misnon ^1,2, Chun-Chen Yang ^3,4 and Rajan Jose ^1,2,3,*

¹Center for Advanced Intelligent Materials, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan 26300, Malaysia

²Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan 26300, Malaysia

³Battery Research Center of Green Energy, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 243303, Taiwan

⁴Department of Chemical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 243303, Taiwan

* Correspondence: rjose@umpsa.edu.my or rjose@mcut.mail.edu.tw

Received: 8 December 2024; Revised: 19 March 2025; Accepted: 24 March 2025; Published: 26 March 2025

Abstract: Hybrid devices such as lithium-metal capacitors (LMC) are in rising demand and can simultaneously meet the requirements of energy storage devices with superior specific energy and high specific power. LMCs combine a lithium anode with high specific energy and an activated carbon cathode with high specific power. Biomass-derived porous carbon (BC) is an ideal candidate as cathode material and stands out for its tuneable porosity, sustainability, and low cost. However, the inherent limitations of BC in delivering optimal electrochemical performance necessitate using additives with superior electronic conductivity. In this study, we introduce functionalized carbon quantum dots (f-CDs), synthesized from biomass, as an effective additive to enhance the performance of BC. The physicochemical and electrochemical figures of merit of BC integrated with 7 wt.% f-CDs (BC@f-CD) were systematically compared with BC modified with 0.4 wt.% single walled carbon nanotube (BC@s-CNT). Electrochemical evaluations revealed that BC@f-CD exhibited a superior specific capacitance of approximately 191 F·g⁻¹ within a 2–4.3 V voltage window. The nano-sized dimensions and functional groups of f-CDs significantly improved performance, enabling a remarkable 111% increase in specific energy. Additionally, BC@f-CD demonstrated excellent cycling stability, retaining ~86% of its initial capacity after 5000 cycles, outperforming traditional lithium-metal batteries. This study underscores the potential of f-CDs as a cost-effective and efficient alternative additive to s-CNTs that can enhance the performance of LMCs, providing a sustainable solution for advanced energy storage applications.

Materials and Sustainability

Materials and Sustainability: Materials' Contribution to Sustainable Living on Earth

Materials and Sustainability: Materials’ Contribution to Sustainable Living on Earth

“Green” Fabrication of High-performance Transparent Conducting Electrodes by Blade Coating and Photonic Curing on PET for Perovskite Solar Cells

“Green” Fabrication of High-performance Transparent Conducting Electrodes by Blade Coating and Photonic Curing on PET for Perovskite Solar Cells

High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cell with an Air-Processable Active Layer via Sequential Deposition

High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cell with an Air-Processable Active Layer via Sequential Deposition

Demystifying the Potential of Anode-Less Alkali Metal Batteries: Uncovering the Role of Liquid and Solid Electrolyte Combinations

Demystifying the Potential of Anode-Less Alkali Metal Batteries: Uncovering the Role of Liquid and Solid Electrolyte Combinations

Perovskite Thin Films Solar Cells: The Gas Quenching Method

Perovskite Thin Films Solar Cells: The Gas Quenching Method

Stabilizing the Chemistry of NiOx in Perovskite Solar Cells to Pass the Damp Heat Test

Stabilizing the Chemistry of NiOx in Perovskite Solar Cells to Pass the Damp Heat Test

Hierarchical Porous Carbon-Carbon Dot Architecture as a High Energy Density Cathode for Lithium-Metal Capacitors

Hierarchical Porous Carbon-Carbon Dot Architecture as a High Energy Density Cathode for Lithium-Metal Capacitors

Materials and Sustainability:
Materials’ Contribution to Sustainable Living on Earth

Stabilizing the Chemistry of NiO_x in Perovskite Solar Cells to Pass the Damp Heat Test

Stabilizing the Chemistry of NiO_x in Perovskite Solar Cells to Pass the Damp Heat Test