Journal published in the top SCI journal of ‘Chemical Engineering Journal’ (Impact Factor: 8.355, JIF percentile: 97.115, ranking: 2/52)
Professor Man-Jong Lee (Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University) presented excellent photo-conversion efficiencies of perovskite solar cells using a novel Lewis acid-base reaction employing a new additive (hexamethylphosphoramide, HMPA). These results were published on line in the one of the top journals, Chemical Engineering Journal, on Aug. 6, 2019. The title of this article is ‘Influence of Lewis base HMPA on the properties of efficient planar MAPbI3 solar cells fabricated by one-step process assisted by Lewis acid-base adduct approach’ (DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.122436).
Prof. Lee's team succeeded in production of active perovskite layers by controlling the solubility difference between a Lewis acid lead (Pb) and a highly polarized Lewis base HMPA. In addition, the production mechanism and electrochemical properties of the lead-based lead compound (PbI2), which is currently controversial in the field of perovskite, have been clarified in detail through various novel experimental methods.
Professor Lee said, “This study is significant in that new HMPA additives can effectively control the uniformity of perovskite layers. At the same time, it is also valuable in that the exact nanoscale position and role of remnant PbI2 phase in the photovoltaic performance have been clarified. Fig. 1. J-V curves of perovskite solar cells, HMPA structure, and nanoscale architecture