Tamara Merckx

Hasselt University

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Conformational NMR Study of Bistriazolyl Anion Receptors

Acta chimica slovenica (2016)

Damjan Makuc Tamara Merckx Wim Dehaen Janez Plavec

Conformational features of pyridine- and pyrimidine-based bistriazolyl anion receptors were assessed by multidimensional, heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. NOESY correlation signals suggested preorganization of both host molecules in solution in the absence of anions. In addition, only a single set of signals was observed in 1 H NMR spectra, which suggested a symmetrical conformation of anion receptors or their conformational exchange that is fast on the NMR time-scale. Furthermore, the predominant conformations of pyridine- and pyrimidine-based anion receptors are preserved upon addition of chloride, bromide, and acetate anions. Chemical shift changes observed upon addition of anions showed that NH (thio)urea and triazole protons are involved in anion-receptor interactions through hydrogen bonding.

10.17344/acsi.2016.2251

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Citations (3)

Outdoor Measurement and Modeling of Perovskite Module Temperatures

Global Challenges (2018)

Robert Gehlhaar Tamara Merckx Weiming Qiu Tom Aernouts

Abstract Photovoltaic cells and modules are exposed to partially rapid changing environmental parameters that influence the device temperature. The evolution of the device temperature of a perovskite module of 225 cm 2 area is presented during a period of 25 days under central European conditions. The temperature of the glass–glass packaged perovskite solar module is directly measured at the back contact by a thermocouple. The device is exposed to ambient temperatures from 3 to 34 °C up to solar irradiation levels exceeding 1300 W m −2 . The highest recorded module temperature is 61 °C under constant high irradiation levels. Under strong fluctuations of the global solar irradiance, temperature gradients of more than 3 K min −1 with total changes of more than 20 K are measured. Based on the experimental data, a dynamic iterative model is developed for the module temperature evolution in dependence on ambient temperature and solar irradiation. Furthermore, specific thermal device properties that enable an extrapolation of the module response beyond the measured parameter space can be determined. With this set of parameters, it can be predicted that the temperature of the perovskite layer in thin‐film photovoltaic devices is exceeding 70 °C under realistic outdoor conditions. Additionally, perovskite module temperatures can be calculated in final applications.

Thermocouple

Solar simulator

10.1002/gch2.201800008

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Citations (23)

Bistriazolyl anion receptors

Tamara Merckx Wim Dehaen Wim M. De Borggraeve

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Thermal evaporation assisted perovskite deposition for highly efficient and stable solar cells and modules on sputtered NiO

Yinghuan Kuang Tamara Merckx Aránzazu Aguirre Cristian V. Meza Xin Zhang

In recent years, organometal halide perovskite based photovoltaics have attracted great interest for their high power conversion efficiency (PCE) potentially at low manufacturing cost. Despite the massive progress made by the community, the long-term performance stability and the manufacturability at large scale remain very challenging. In this work, we demonstrate a stable and scalable architecture for perovskite module fabrication. Thermal evaporation assisted 2-step approach is employed for the 1.53 eV perovskite deposition. For high throughput processing, NiOx by linear reactive sputtering is developed as the inorganic hole transport layer (HTL). PCE of 20% is achieved for the solar cell. Perovskite modules with monolithic series interconnected cells by picosecond laser scribing based on the developed cell stack are also fabricated. Above 80% of the initial efficiency is retained after 1000 hrs of thermal mono-stress at 85°C in N2 atmosphere.

Non-blocking I/O

Deposition

Thermal Stability

10.1117/12.2594308

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A study of quenching approaches to optimize ultrasonic spray coated perovskite layers scalable for PV

EPJ Photovoltaics (2022)

Joao Silvano Jacopo Sala Tamara Merckx Yinghuan Kuang Pieter Verding

Perovskite materials have gathered increased interest over the last decade. Their rapidly rising efficiency, coupled with the compatibility with solution processing and thin film technology has put perovskite solar cells (PSC) on the spotlight of photovoltaic research. On top of that, band gap tunability via composition changes makes them a perfect candidate for tandem applications, allowing for further harvest of the solar irradiation spectrum and improved power conversion efficiency (PCE). In order to convert all these advantages into large scale production and have increased dissemination in the energy generation market, perovskite fabrication must be adapted and optimized with the use of high throughput, continuous processes, such as ultrasonic spray coating (USSC). In this paper we investigate the ultrasonically spray coated perovskite layers for photovoltaic applications, with particular focus on the quenching-assisted crystallization step. Different quenching techniques are introduced to the process and compared in terms of final layer morphology and cell performance. Finally, gas quenching is used with the large-scale-compatible deposition and allows the production of perovskite solar cells with PCE >15%.

10.1051/epjpv/2022008

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Citations (2)

Anion binding and transport properties of cyclic 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)pyridines

Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry (2014)

Tamara Merckx Cally J. E. Haynes Louise E. Karagiannidis Harriet J. Clarke Katie J. Holder

A series of cyclic 2,6-bis-(1,2,3-triazolyl)-pyridine anion receptors with thiourea functionalities were synthesized by click reaction of 2,6-diazidopyridine with protected propargylamine followed by condensation of a bisthiocyanate derivative with a series of diamines. Their chloride binding affinities as well as their transport properties in POPC bilayers were examined. These receptors were found to function as anion carriers, which can mediate both Cl(-)/NO3(-) antiport and H(+)/Cl(-) symport, and the transport activity of these hosts were dominated by their lipophilicity.

Triazole

10.1039/c4ob02236j

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Citations (14)

Pinhole-free perovskite films for efficient solar modules

Energy & Environmental Science (2016)

Weiming Qiu Tamara Merckx Manoj Jaysankar César Masse de La Huerta Lucija Rakocevic

We demonstrated a 4 cm²aperture area perovskite solar module with a PCE of 13.6% and a geometrical fill factor of 91%.

Pinhole (optics)

Aperture (computer memory)

10.1039/c5ee03703d

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Citations (271)

An Interdiffusion Method for Highly Performing Cesium/Formamidinium Double Cation Perovskites

Advanced Functional Materials (2017)

Weiming Qiu Aniruddha Ray Manoj Jaysankar Tamara Merckx João P. A. Bastos

The fabrication of high‐quality cesium (Cs)/formamidinium (FA) double‐cation perovskite films through a two‐step interdiffusion method is reported. Cs x FA 1‐ x PbI 3‐y(1‐ x ) Br y(1‐ x ) films with different compositions are achieved by controlling the amount of CsI and formamidinium bromide (FABr) in the respective precursor solutions. The effects of incorporating Cs + and Br − on the properties of the resulting perovskite films and on the performance of the corresponding perovskite solar cells are systematically studied. Small area perovskite solar cells with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.3% and a perovskite module (4 cm 2 ) with an aperture PCE of 16.4%, using the Cs/FA double cation perovskite made with 10 mol% CsI and 15 mol% FABr (Cs 0.1 FA 0.9 PbI 2.865 Br 0.135 ) are achieved. The Cs/FA double cation perovskites show negligible degradation after annealing at 85 °C for 336 h, outperforming the perovskite materials containing methylammonium (MA).

Formamidinium

Caesium

Perovskite solar cell

10.1002/adfm.201700920

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Citations (75)

Stable Device Architecture With Industrially Scalable Processes for Realizing Efficient 784 cm² Monolithic Perovskite Solar Modules

IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics (2023)

Tamara Merckx Aránzazu Aguirre Yinghuan Kuang Arvid van der Heide Ali Hajjiah

We demonstrate the scaling up of the perovskite photovoltaic technology with minimal performance losses by developing stable device architecture with industrially compatible processes. The monofacial (aperture area: 784 cm ² ) and bifacial (aperture area: 781 cm ² ) perovskite solar modules exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 13.1% and 11.9%, respectively. Moreover, the encapsulated bifacial mini-modules (aperture area: 4 cm ² ) retained ∼92% of initial PCE after 1000 h of damp heat test.

10.1109/jphotov.2023.3259061

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Citations (8)

High efficiency blade coated perovskite photovoltaic modules by subcell interconnection optimization

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (2016)

Robert Gehlhaar Tamara Merckx César Masse de La Huerta Lucija Rakocevic Weiming Qiu

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