SUPERIORITY OF INKJET-PRINTING TECHNOLOGY FOR PEROVSKITE SOLAR CELLS

Abstract

Perovskite-solar cells (PSCs) seem to be the most promising emerging field of study among various new generation technologies of photovoltaic, owing to its excellent-power conversion efficiency (PCE). Research is currently ongoing to boost PSCs’ power conversion efficiency, as several scalable deposition techniques are reported for PSCs that include solution- and vapour-assisted deposition approaches. The fabrication of PSC can be conducted using either a one- or two-step deposition method. Its key advantage among all other methods of deposition is on-demand maskless patterning and its low-cost, which offers unparalleled design freedom. Other potential advantages include the efficient materials’ usage, high-resolution contactless-deposition, scalability and enabling a rapid learning translation from small laboratory-scale work in the large industrial-scale roll-to-roll production. The inkjet-printing technique is an emerging deposition technique for PSCs with high precision-patterning, high material use, and low cost. The main advantage of solar cells being produced using an inkjet printing technique is the small manufacturing costs. This is cheaper than other techniques as there is no need for a vacuum. The ink is also a low-cost salt blend of metal which reduces the cost of perovskite solar cells. The composition, operating process and functional layers (electron-transport layer, a hole-transport layer, and perovskite-active layer) of PSCs are addressed in this analysis article. Specific techniques used to produce PSCs are also examined with great emphasis on the superiority of the inkjet-printing process. Specific inkjet-printing techniques, ink processing, ink properties, and research development of PSCs manufacturing using the inkjet-printing process were also explored. Ultimately, it was established through a systematic literature review that the inkjet printing technique is more superior to other utilised deposition techniques. However, commercial perovskite fabrication using inkjet printing technology is still under research and at laboratory scale.