Preventing lead leakage in perovskite solar cells with a sustainable titanium dioxide sponge

Salvatore Valastro, Emanuele Smecca, Giovanni Mannino, Corrado Bongiorno, Giuseppe Fisicaro, Stefan Goedecker, Valentina Arena, Carlo Spampinato, Ioannis Deretzis, Sandro Dattilo, Andrea Scamporrino, Sabrina Carroccio, Enza Fazio, Fortunato Neri, Francesco Bisconti, Aurora Rizzo, Corrado Spinella, Antonino Magna and Alessandra Alberti ()
Additional contact information
Salvatore Valastro: CNR-IMM
Emanuele Smecca: CNR-IMM
Giovanni Mannino: CNR-IMM
Corrado Bongiorno: CNR-IMM
Giuseppe Fisicaro: CNR-IMM
Stefan Goedecker: University of Basel
Valentina Arena: CNR-IMM
Carlo Spampinato: CNR-IMM
Ioannis Deretzis: CNR-IMM
Sandro Dattilo: CNR-IPCB
Andrea Scamporrino: CNR-IPCB
Sabrina Carroccio: CNR-IPCB
Enza Fazio: Università Degli Studi di Messina
Fortunato Neri: Università Degli Studi di Messina
Francesco Bisconti: CNR-NANOTEC
Aurora Rizzo: CNR-NANOTEC
Corrado Spinella: CNR-IMM
Antonino Magna: CNR-IMM
Alessandra Alberti: CNR-IMM

Nature Sustainability, 2023, vol. 6, issue 8, 974-983

Abstract: Abstract As the market uptake of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is projected to grow rapidly, this clean energy technology will play an increasingly important role in reducing the global carbon footprint. However, one of the major barriers to its full commercialization is the presence of toxic lead (Pb), which enables the current record in photoconversion efficiency but risks being released into the environment when subjected to water or rain. Here we show that Pb leakage can be prevented by applying a transparent titanium dioxide (TiO2) sponge that allows for an efficient Pb sequestration of 58 ng cm−2 nm−1. Already an essential material for PSCs, the additional use of TiO2 through a scalable and solvent-free sputtering process promises extra cost benefits and higher sustainability. Further demonstration of the sponge application with desired thickness on ready-to-use devices, glass and polymeric foils enforces the practical value of the current approach. Our study provides a sustainable solution to one of the environmental and health risks of PSCs and would accelerate their practical applications.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01120-w

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