Why lead methylammonium tri-iodide perovskite-based solar cells require a mesoporous electron transporting scaffold (but not necessarily a hole conductor).

Edri, Eran; Kirmayer, Saar; Henning, Alex; Mukhopadhyay, Sabyasachi; Gartsman, Konstantin; Rosenwaks, Yossi; Hodes, Gary; Cahen, David · Nano Lett · 2014

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

CH3NH3PbI3-based solar cells were characterized with electron beam-induced current (EBIC) and compared to CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Clx ones. A spatial map of charge separation efficiency in working cells shows p-i-n structures for both thin film cells. Effective diffusion lengths, LD, (from EBIC profile) show that holes are extracted significantly more efficiently than electrons in CH3NH3PbI3, explaining why CH3NH3PbI3-based cells require mesoporous electron conductors, while CH3NH3PbI(3-Clx ones, where LD values are comparable for both charge types, do not.