In his research, Al-Anesi delved into the exploration of lead-free perovskite-inspired semiconductors, which offer promising alternatives to lead halide perovskites. In his doctoral dissertation, comprising four publications, Al-Anesi contributes novel insights to the field of lead-free perovskite-inspired semiconductors and their application in solar cells and indoor photovoltaics.
Al-Anesi's dissertation provides a comprehensive investigation into the development, fabrication, characterization, and optimization of lead-free perovskite-inspired photovoltaics, with a focus on enhancing their efficiency, and stability.
“I have contributed to the development of lead-free perovskites-inspired materials by combining environmentally benign elements with advanced characterization techniques. The photovoltaic performance and stability of the lead-free perovskite-inspired solar cells I have developed have improved significantly,” says Al-Anesi.
In his first publication, Al-Anesi contributed to enhancing the microstructure of Cu2AgBiI6 absorber for efficient solar cells and indoor photovoltaics via additive engineering. Enhanced surface coverage and large crystalline domains significantly contributed to the improved performance of photovoltaic devices.
In his second publication, he contributed to exploring the role of the hole-transporting layer on the performance and stability of Cu2AgBiI6 photovoltaic devices. Combining theoretical with experimental study, the correlation between the strong adhesion of the hole-transporting layer to the surface of Cu2AgBiI6 and the exceptional operational stability of the corresponding photovoltaic devices was identified.
Cu2AgBiI6 exhibits a considerable presence of both intrinsic and surface defects. Al-Anesi's third publication targeted improving the film morphology of Cu2AgBiI6 and suppressing the formation of defects through an effective mitigation strategy relying on alloying antimony with bismuth. The fine-tuned incorporation of antimony into the octahedral lattice sites of Cu2AgBiI6 structure resulted in improved surface coverage, larger crystalline domains, reduced defect density, and consequently enhanced the performance of photovoltaic devices.
His fourth publication aimed to tackle inefficient charge extraction and the presence of ion migration and diffusion in Ag3BiI6 absorber by introducing a thermally evaporated CsI layer at the interface between the Ag3BiI6 active layer and the hole-transport material.
“The efficiency and stability of lead-free perovskite-inspired photovoltaics were significantly enhanced by employing various strategies, including additive engineering, co-alloying, and interfacial engineering,” Al-Anesi concludes.
Basheer Al-Anesi is originally from Yemen. He has been working as a doctoral researcher in the Hybrid Solar Cell research group at Tampere University since August 2021.
Public defence on Friday 25 April
The doctoral dissertation of MSc. Basheer Al-Anesi in the field of chemistry titled Perovskite-Inspired Materials for Outdoor and Indoor Photovoltaic Applications will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Science of Tampere University at at 12:00 o’clock on Friday 25 April 2025. The venue is at Hervanta Campus in Festia building in the auditorium FA032 Pieni sali 1 (Korkeakoulunkatu 8, Tampere).
The Opponent will be Senior Researcher Dr. Thomas Stergiopoulos from the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, N.C.S.R. Demokritos, Greece. The Custos will be Professor Paola Vivo from Tampere University, Finland.
The doctoral dissertation is available online.