Perovskite refers to materials with an ABX3 crystal structure. Perovskite as an active layer in solar cells began in 2009 when Miyasaka et al. utilized it as a sensitizer for TiO2 nanoparticles in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Using CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite, they achieved a solar cell efficiency of 3.8%. This discovery sparked significant interest among researchers in perovskite materials for solar cells, including Junivan Sulistianto, who incorporated this material into his dissertation research.
In his dissertation titled “Optimization of Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells Using CuSCN as an Interlayer and Additive,” Junivan Sulistianto, a doctoral student from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (DTE FTUI), completed his studies. He graduated with honours (Cum Laude), achieving a GPA of 3.97, becoming the 176th Doctoral graduate from DTE FTUI and the 575th Doctoral graduate from FTUI on Tuesday (24/12).
In his research, Junivan explained that various materials could create layers in perovskite solar cells. Typically, gold or silver is used as the electrode material. While these materials offer high conductivity, they reduce the stability of perovskite solar cells. Additionally, gold and silver are expensive precious metals. Junivan, therefore, explored an alternative material for electrodes: carbon.
“The performance of carbon-based solar cells is still lower than that of perovskite solar cells using precious metals. This is due to carbon’s low conductivity. Moreover, carbon-based perovskite solar cells rely on carbon as the hole transport material, despite the energy level mismatch between carbon and perovskite materials,” Junivan explained.
To address these challenges, Junivan employed two strategies in his research to improve the performance of carbon-based perovskite solar cells: using an interlayer between the perovskite and carbon layers and adding additives to the carbon electrode. He selected CuSCN as the interlayer and additive material due to its hole-transporting characteristics and iompatibility with the deposition method used in this solar cell structure.
The results showed that carbon-based perovskite solar cells using both improvement strategies achieved the highest efficiency compared to other structures. Additionally, the research optimized the carbon layer, interlayer, and additive materials to enhance the solar cells’ performance. The study demonstrated that combining and optimizing these two improvement strategies significantly improved the performance of carbon-based perovskite solar cells, achieving a maximum efficiency of 11.09%.
Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, MSc., Ph.D., Acting Dean of FTUI, commended Junivan’s research, stating, “This research represents a significant breakthrough in the field of renewable energy. We hope this study will pave the way for developing stable and low-cost solar cell-based energy sources, making them accessible to the wider community.”
The doctoral promotion examination was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ir. Yanuar, M.Eng., M.Sc., with Promoter Prof. Dr. Ir. Nji Raden Poespawati, M.T. IPU., and Co-Promoter Tomy Abuzairi, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. The examination committee included Prof. Dr.Eng. Ir. Arief Udhiarto, S.T., M.T., IPU., Prof. Dr. Ir. Harry Sudibyo S., DEA., Prof. Dr. Ir. Akhmad Herman Yuwono, M.Phil.Eng., Prof. Dr. Natalita Maulani Nursam, M.Phil., and Prof. Akinori Konno.
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