Public Research Seminar by Sustainable Energy and Environment Thrust, HKUST(GZ) - Superior-purity precursor with film structuring for high-performing perovskite solar cells
Organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites have attracted considerable attention due to their promising potential in solar cell applications, achieving power conversion efficiency (PCE) surpassing 26% in single-junction devices. Defects within the perovskite layer present a significant obstacle to fully realizing this potential. Previous research has largely concentrated on defect passivation through additives or interfacial modifications. Furthermore, impurities in perovskite precursors, especially lead iodide, accelerate solution aging and by-product formation, thereby adversely affecting efficiency. To overcome these hurdles, the use of high-purity precursor materials is crucial in minimizing impurity-induced defects. In this talk, I will present our work on the synthesis of high-purity perovskite microcrystals and film structuring. Specifically, I will introduce perovskite microcrystals synthesized via aqueous methods as precursor materials for perovskite solar cells. This approach not only facilitates large-scale production but also yields formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) microcrystals with exceptionally high purity levels, reaching up to 99.996%. Notably, water serves as an environmentally friendly solvent, which is advantageous for commercialization. Additionally, along with novel film structuring techniques, we have further achieved perovskite solar cells with efficiencies approaching 27%.
Yong Zhang is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Science and Engineering at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), China. He received his Ph.D. from Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea, in 2020, under the supervision of Prof. Nam-Gyu Park. After a postdoctoral stint in Prof. Baomin Xu’s group at SUSTech, he joined the department as a Research Assistant Professor in 2023. His research focuses on photovoltaic materials and devices, particularly on perovskite solar cells. He has published 17 papers in journals such as Nature, Science, Energy & Environmental Science, Advanced Energy Materials, ACS Energy Letters as first author or corresponding author. He has received several awards such as Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad, Shenzhen Overseas High-Caliber Personnel (Level B), SUSTech Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship. He is also the Junior Editorial Board Member of eScience and Energy Materials.
For inquiries, please contact Miss Suggi WU (+86-20-88332966, suggilswu@hkust-gz.edu.cn)