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Faculty of Graduate Studies

Yameen Ahmed

  • M.S. (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 2020)

  • B.S. (Hazara University, Pakistan, 2018)

Notice of the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Topic

Scalable fabrication of perovskite solar cells and modules in ambient air

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Date & location

  • Monday, October 19, 2026

  • 9:30 A.M.

  • Elliott Building

  • Room 228 & Virtual Defence

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

  • Dr. Makhsud Saidaminov, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UVic (Supervisor)

  • Dr. Chris Papadopoulos, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UVic (Member)

  • Dr. Scott McIndoe, Department of Chemistry, UVic (Outside Member) 

External Examiner

  • Dr. Gregory Welch, Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary 

Chair of Oral Examination

  • Dr. Janessa Griffith, School of Health Information Science, UVic

     

Abstract

The search for efficient renewable energy materials remains critical in combating climate change and addressing the increasing global energy demand. Solar cells have emerged as a key solution to these challenges. While significant progress has been made in advancing silicon-based solar cell technology, there has also been a strong focus on identifying more cost-effective and efficient alternatives. Among these, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated remarkable potential over the past decade. However, despite their rapid progress toward commercialization, several challenges remain, including the intrinsic stability of perovskite materials, non-radiative losses at the interfaces, reliance on laboratory scale spin coating, and the difficulty of translating high efficiency devices into scalable manufacturing processes. This dissertation attempts to address these challenges through systematic research that progresses from understanding material selection to interface engineering, scalable fabrication, and the realization of efficient and stable PSCs and perovskite solar mini-modules.

This dissertation is comprised of 6 chapters. Chapter 1, introduction, reviews the evolution of photovoltaic technologies, fundamental properties of perovskite materials, major challenges limiting the commercialization of PSCs, and defines the research objectives of this work.

Chapter 2, based on our review paper, identifies formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite as the most promising absorber for high-performance PSCs because of its near-optimal bandgap and excellent optoelectronic properties. However, the instability of photoactive black α-FAPbI3 phase remains a major obstacle to its practical implementation. This chapter critically evaluates existing stabilization strategies and highlights emerging approaches based on strain management, interfacial engineering, and entropy-driven stabilization that preserve the intrinsic advantages of FAPbI3. These considerations establish the material-selection framework for the experimental studies presented in the subsequent chapters.

Chapters 3-5 are based on my completed projects, with the main goal of narrowing the gap between record-efficient laboratory PSCs and commercially relevant PSC manufacturing with minimum impact on their performance (see Figure A for visual presentation). Chapter 3 investigates the impact of electron transport layer and FAPbI3 interface passivation on very small-area PSCs (~4 mm2) fabricated by spin coating under an inert atmosphere. Chapter 4 develops scalable blade-coating and slot-die-coating processes performed entirely under ambient conditions. Methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) is employed as a model perovskite absorber. Using only scalable coating methods in ambient air, solar cell efficiencies of nearly 20% are achieved for medium-size PSCs (~100 mm2). Finally, Chapter 5 realizes efficient and stable perovskite photovoltaics under commercially relevant fabrication conditions: it demonstrates not only the feasibility of using FAPbI3 perovskite as the light absorber, but also of replacing conventional unstable small-molecule hole-transport layers with a more stable polymeric one. The resulting devices achieve efficiencies of over 22% on active areas of over 1,000 mm2 in architectures that are used in commercial photovoltaic modules.

Chapter 6 concludes the dissertation by summarizing the key findings presented in Chapters 2-5 and outlining future research directions for the commercialization of perovskite photovoltaics. The remaining scientific and technological challenges, in my opinion, include the replacement of costly noble-metal electrodes with carbon-based alternatives, the development of green processing routes, toxic lead management, and long-term outdoor stability.

 

 

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