Fabrication and Characterization of Batio :PVDF Nanocomposites For Perovskite Solar Cells

Fabrication and Characterization
of BaTiO₃:PVDF Nanocomposites
for Perovskite Solar Cells
Presented By: John Niman
Graduate Mentor: Chaminda Hettiarachchi
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sarath Witanachchi
1
Outline
• Introduction and Theory
• Experimental Procedure
• Characterization of Nanocomposites
• Summary
• Future Work
• Questions
2
Introduction
• Objective:
• Characterize BaTiO3:PVDF nanocomposites to determine if BTO
nanoparticles retain ferroelectric properties when embedded in
another material.
• Importance:
• To improve current perovskite solar cell technology.
• To develop reliable sources of renewable energy.
• Equipment used:
• Low-Pressure Spray Chamber (Custom, Kurt J. Lesker)
• Nebulizer (Custom Vib-Mesh Nebulizer, Assist Medical Supplies)
• Ferroelectric Tester (Precision LC, Radiant Technologies Inc.)
3
Theory I
Proposed Photovoltaic Device Polarized BTO nanoparticles
Photo current Photons

ITO Electrode
Internal
Electric
field
AuPd Electrode
Electric
field
Embedded
BTO nanoparticles
• The BTO nanoparticles provide an internal electric field.
4
• Polarization – Induced internal electric field enhances charge
separation and collection.
Theory II
Conventional Solar Cell Solar Cell with BTO
Top Electrode Photons Top Electrode
Some Electrons and

Solar Absorber Enhanced Photocurrent
Holes recombine re-
(Perovskite) from separation of charge
emitting photons
Released carriers
Photons
Bottom Electrode Bottom Electrode
Electron Electric Field

Hole from BTO 5
Sample Preparation
• Samples used a combination of BTO, Polyvinylidene fluoride
(PVDF), and Dimethylformamide (DMF).
• DMF served as a solvent for the PVDF and BTO.
• PVDF was used as a binding agent for the BTO nanoparticles
when sprayed.
• Only certain samples with a small amount of PVDF could be
nebulized.
6
Thin-film Growth Process
Spray Coating
Why Spray coating over Spin coating?

• Capable of growing highly crystalline perovskite solar cells. 7
• Capable of embedding BTO nanoparticles evenly in the
perovskite solar absorber.
Spray System
• Growth Parameters: substrate temperature, chamber

pressure, precursor concentration, and spray distance. 8
• 20-40 sprays were made to get a coating on the substrate.
Morphology of nanocomposites
SEM Image of Samples
(a) (b)
(a) 50 mg
BTO
(b) 150 mg
BTO
(c) (d) (c) 300 mg

BTO
(d) 450 mg
BTO
9
• The BTO:PVDF nanocomposites are porous and the BTO tends to cluster.
• The samples are not completely uniform.
Characterization of
Nanocomposites
• Samples are sprayed on Indium
Tin Oxide (ITO) coated glass
substrates (Bottom Electrode).
• Gold-Palladium Hummer-
Sputtering (Top Electrode).
• Samples are characterized using
a Ferroelectric Tester.
10
Device Structure
Au - Pd Electrodes
Ferroelectric
Tester needles
We apply a voltage
across the electrodes
We then collect
BTO current from the
nanoparticles displacement of
the BTO dipoles
But we also have

a leakage current
due to the
PVDF
porosity and
composition of
ITO Electrodes 11
the material
Polarization Measurements
(a)
0.2 Polarization (μCcm -2 ) (b) Polarization (µCcm-2)
0.15 60
0.1
40
0.05
0 20
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
-0.05 Voltage (V)
0
-0.1 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60
-0.15 -20
Voltage (V)
-0.2
-40
-60
(c)
3 Polarization (μCcm -2 ) (d)
40 Polarization (μCCm -2 )
30
2
20
1
10
0 0
-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10
-10
-1 Voltage (V) Voltage (V)
-20
-2
-30
-3 -40
(a) 50 mg BTO (b) 150 mg BTO 12
(c) 300 mg BTO (d) 450 mg BTO

Polarization Measurements
Polarization (µCcm-2)
60
40
20
Voltage (V)
0
-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60
-20
-40
-60
• 3 mg of PVDF was used in all the samples.

• The best hysteresis data was observed in the 150 mg BTO sample.
• Due the non-uniformity of the films, different devices on the same
sample showed varied results.
• We do not expect perfect hysteresis loops due to the porosity and
non-uniformity of the samples.
• The nanocomposites have ferroelectric properties. 13
Summary
• We successfully managed to use the Low-Pressure Spray
Deposition technique to fabricate BTO:PVDF nanocomposites.
• Our research confirmed polarization properties in the
BTO:PVDF nanocomposites.
• When compared to published work on BTO:PVDF
nanocomposites, we claim that the nanocomposites are
ferroelectric.
14
Future Works
Aluminum Electrodes
• The next phase of this project will

involve embedding the BTO
nanoparticles in the CH3NH3PbI3-xClx BTO
solar absorber material. nanoparticles
• I-V measurements of photovoltaic

devices with BTO nanoparticles and
without BTO nanoparticles.
• Ideally, future research will show an
enhancement of power conversion CH3NH3PbI3-xClx (Perovskite)
efficiency through the use of
ITO(FTO) Electrodes
ferroelectric nanoparticles.
15
Acknowledgements
 This project is supported by the NSF REU grant # DMR-1263066: REU
Site in Applied Physics at USF
 This project is also supported by the United States Army
(Grant No. W81XWH1020101/3349)
16
Questions?
Thanks for Listening!
17

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Fabrication and Characterization

Photo current Photons

Top Electrode Photons Top Electrode

Some Electrons and

Bottom Electrode Bottom Electrode

Electron Electric Field

Why Spray coating over Spin coating?

• Growth Parameters: substrate temperature, chamber

(c) (d) (c) 300 mg

But we also have

(a) 50 mg BTO (b) 150 mg BTO 12

(c) 300 mg BTO (d) 450 mg BTO

• 3 mg of PVDF was used in all the samples.

• The next phase of this project will

• I-V measurements of photovoltaic

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