Perovskite Solar Cells: Influence of Hole Transporting Materials on Power Conversion Efficiency

Triphenylamine-Thienothiophene Organic Charge-Transport Molecular Materials: Effect of Substitution Pattern on their Thermal, Photoelectrochemical, and Photovoltaic Properties

Two readily accessible thienothiophene-triphenylamine charge-transport materials have been synthesized by simply varying the substitution pattern of the triphenylamine groups on a central thienothiophene π-linker. The impact of the substitution pattern on the thermal, photoelectrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of these materials was evaluated and, based on theoretical and experimental studies, we found that the isomer in which the triphenylamine groups were located at the 2,5-positions of the thienothiophene core (TT-2,5-TPA) had better π-conjugation than the 3,6-isomer (TT-3,6-TPA). Whilst the thermal, morphological, and hydrophobic properties of the two materials were similar, their optoelectrochemical and photovoltaic properties were noticeably impacted. When applied as hole-transport materials in hybrid perovskite solar cells, the 2,5-isomer exhibited a power-conversion efficiency of 13.6 %, much higher than that of its 3,6-counterpart (0.7 %) under the same standard conditions.

Recent Progress on the Long-Term Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells

As rapid progress has been achieved in emerging thin film solar cell technology, organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) have aroused many concerns with several desired properties for photovoltaic applications, including large absorption coefficients, excellent carrier mobility, long charge carrier diffusion lengths, low-cost, and unbelievable progress. Power conversion efficiencies increased from 3.8% in 2009 up to the current world record of 22.1%. However, poor long-term stability of PVSCs limits the future commercial application. Here, the degradation mechanisms for unstable perovskite materials and their corresponding solar cells are discussed. The strategies for enhancing the stability of perovskite materials and PVSCs are also summarized. This review is expected to provide helpful insights for further enhancing the stability of perovskite materials and PVSCs in this exciting field.

Molecular doping enabled scalable blading of efficient hole-transport-layer-free perovskite solar cells

The efficiencies of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are now reaching such consistently high levels that scalable manufacturing at low cost is becoming critical. However, this remains challenging due to the expensive hole-transporting materials usually employed, and difficulties associated with the scalable deposition of other functional layers. By simplifying the device architecture, hole-transport-layer-free PSCs with improved photovoltaic performance are fabricated via a scalable doctor-blading process. Molecular doping of halide perovskite films improved the conductivity of the films and their electronic contact with the conductive substrate, resulting in a reduced series resistance. It facilitates the extraction of photoexcited holes from perovskite directly to the conductive substrate. The bladed hole-transport-layer-free PSCs showed a stabilized power conversion efficiency above 20.0%. This work represents a significant step towards the scalable, cost-effective manufacturing of PSCs with both high performance and simple fabrication processes.

The existing hole-transporting materials cause problems in the cost and scalability of the perovskite solar cells. Here Wu et al. fabricate high efficiency cells by molecularly doping the perovskite layer without using hole-transporting layers, thus simplify the device architecture and processing steps.

Investigation of Hole-Transporting Poly(triarylamine) on Aggregation and Charge Transport for Hysteresisless Scalable Planar Perovskite Solar Cells

Organometallic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have unique photovoltaic properties for use in next-generation solar energy harvesting systems. The highest efficiency of PSCs reached 22.1% on a laboratory scale of <0.1 cm² device area. Thus, scaling up is the next step toward commercialization, but the difficulty in controlling the quality of large-area perovskite thin films remains a fundamental challenge. It has also been frequently reported that the J- V hysteresis is intensified in PSCs with areas larger than 1 cm². In this study, we have fabricated a large-area perovskite layer using PbICl films, providing an intrinsic porous layer and enhancing the uniformity of the perovskite layer at areas larger than 1 cm². Furthermore, we have investigated the polymeric properties of the prevalent hole-transporting material poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) with its photovoltaic performance. Two types of PTAAs, poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4-dimethylphenyl)amine] and poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine], were compared. A series of PTAAs with different molecular weights ( M_w) and polydispersity indices were studied, as the molecular weight of the PTAA is a key factor in determining the electrical properties and photovoltaic performance of the system. The fabricated PSCs with an aperture area of 1 cm² based on a high-molecular-weight PTAA achieved a power conversion efficiency of 16.47% with negligible hysteresis and excellent reproducibility.

Fluoranthene-based dopant-free hole transporting materials for efficient perovskite solar cells

Significant efforts have been devoted to developing new dopant-free hole transporting materials (HTMs) for perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). Fluoranthene is one typical cyclopentene-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with a rigid planarized structure, and thus could be an ideal building block to construct dopant-free HTMs, which have not been reported yet. Here, we report a new and simple synthetic method to prepare unreported 2,3-dicyano-fluoranthene through a Diels-Alder reaction between dibenzofulvene and tetracyanoethylene, and demonstrate that it can serve as an efficient electron-withdrawing unit for constructing donor-acceptor (D-A) type HTMs. This novel building block not only endows the resulting molecules with suitable energy levels, but also enables highly ordered and strong molecular packing in solid states, both of which could facilitate hole extraction and transport. Thus with dopant-free HTMs, impressive efficiencies of 18.03% and 17.01% which are associated with enhanced stability can be achieved based on conventional n-i-p and inverted p-i-n PVSCs respectively, outperforming most organic dopant-free HTMs reported so far.

One-pot synthesis of D–π–D–π–D type hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells by sequential C–H (hetero)arylations

D–π–D–π–D oligoaryls are facilely synthesized through consecutive C–H arylations, exhibiting up to 15.4% PCE when fabricated in perovskite solar cells as hole transporters.

Effect of alkyl chain length on the properties of triphenylamine-based hole transport materials and their performance in perovskite solar cells

Five triarylamine derivatives with different para-alkoxy chains were compared as hole-transport materials in perovskite solar cells.

Highly Efficient Porphyrin-Based OPV/Perovskite Hybrid Solar Cells with Extended Photoresponse and High Fill Factor

Employing a layer of bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic semiconductors on top of perovskite to further extend its photoresponse is considered as a simple and promising way to enhance the efficiency of perovskite-based solar cells, instead of using tandem devices or near infrared (NIR)-absorbing Sn-containing perovskites. However, the progress made from this approach is quite limited because very few such hybrid solar cells can simultaneously show high short-circuit current (J_SC ) and fill factor (FF). To find an appropriate NIR-absorbing BHJ is essential for highly efficient, organic, photovoltaics (OPV)/perovskite hybrid solar cells. The materials involved in the BHJ layer not only need to have broad photoresponse to increase J_SC , but also possess suitable energy levels and high mobility to afford high V_OC and FF. In this work, a new porphyrin is synthesized and blended with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) to function as an efficient BHJ for OPV/perovskite hybrid solar cells. The extended photoresponse, well-matched energy levels, and high hole mobility from optimized BHJ morphology afford a very high power conversion efficiency (PCE) (19.02%) with high V_oc , J_SC , and FF achieved simultaneously. This is the highest value reported so far for such hybrid devices, which demonstrates the feasibility of further improving the efficiency of perovskite devices.

Accomplishment of Multifunctional π-Conjugated Polymers by Regulating the Degree of Side-Chain Fluorination for Efficient Dopant-Free Ambient-Stable Perovskite Solar Cells and Organic Solar Cells

We present an efficient approach to develop a series of multifunctional π-conjugated polymers (P1-P3) by controlling the degree of fluorination (0F, 2F, and 4F) on the side chain linked to the benzodithiophene unit of the π-conjugated polymer. The most promising changes were noticed in optical, electrochemical, and morphological properties upon varying the degree of fluorine atoms on the side chain. The properly aligned energy levels with respect to the perovskite and PCBM prompted us to use them in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as hole-transporting materials (HTMs) and in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (BHJ OSCs) as photoactive donors. Interestingly, P2 (2F) and P3 (4F) showed an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.94%, 10.35% compared to P1 (0F) (9.80%) in dopant-free PSCs. Similarly, P2 (2F) and P3 (4F) also showed improved PCE of 7.93% and 7.43%, respectively, compared to P1 (0F) (PCE of 4.35%) in BHJ OSCs. The high photvoltaic performance of the P2 and P3 based photovotaic devices over P1 are well correlated with their energy level alignment, charge transporting, morphological and packing properties, and hole transfer yields. In addition, the P1-P3 based dopant-free PSCs and BHJ OSCs showed an excellent ambient stability up to 30 days without a significant drop in their initial performance.

Replacement of Biphenyl by Bipyridine Enabling Powerful Hole Transport Materials for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Here, 2,2'- and 3,3'-bipyridine are introduced for the first time as the core structure to get two new hole transport materials (HTMs), namely F22 and F33. The electron-withdrawing nature of bipyridine lowers the HOMO level of the new compounds and enhances the open-circuit voltage of perovskite solar cells. Especially for F33, the better planarity leads to better conjugation in the whole molecule and the molecular interaction is enhanced. Hole-mobility tests, steady-state photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as time-resolved PL decay results demonstrate that the new HTMs exhibit good hole extraction and hole-transporting property. Impressive power conversion efficiencies of 17.71 and 18.48 % are achieved in conventional planar perovskite (CH₃ NH₃ PbI_3-x Cl_x ) solar cells containing F22 and F33 as HTMs, respectively. As far as we know, this is the first report on bypiridine-based HTMs with leading efficiencies, and the design motif in this work opens a new way for devising HTMs in the future.

Low-Cost Perovskite Solar Cells Employing Dimethoxydiphenylamine-Substituted Bistricyclic Aromatic Enes as Hole Transport Materials

The synthesis, characterization and photovoltaic performance of series of novel molecular hole transport materials (HTMs) based on bistricyclic aromatic enes (BAEs) are presented. The new derivatives were obtained following a simple and straightforward procedure from inexpensive starting reagents mimicking the synthetically challenging 9,9'-spirobifluorene moiety of the well-studied spiro-OMeTAD. The novel HTMs were tested in mixed cations and anions perovskite solar cells (PSCs) yielding a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.2 % under standard global 100 mW cm^-2 AM1.5G illumination using 9-{2,7-bis[bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9H-fluoren-9-ylidene}-N² ,N² ,N⁷ ,N⁷ -tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-9H-thioxanthene-2,7-diamine (coded as KR374). The power conversion efficiency data confirms the easily attainable heteromerous fluorenylidenethioxanthene structure as valuable core for low-cost and highly efficient HTM design and paves the way towards cost-effective PSC technology.

Molecular Engineering of Simple Benzene-Arylamine Hole-Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells

Three benzene-arylamine hole-transporting materials (HTMs) with different numbers of terminal groups were prepared. It is noted that the molecule with three arms (H-Tri) shows a lower highest occupied molecular orbital level and a better film morphology on perovskite layer than the molecules with two or four arms (H-Di, H-Tetra). When these molecules were applied to the perovskite solar cells, the H-Tri-based one showed better performance compared with the H-Di- or H-Tetra-based ones. Photoluminescence and impedance spectroscopy demonstrate that H-Tri can improve the hole-electron separation efficiency and decrease the charge recombination, thus leading to a better performance. Moreover, the H-Tri-based device shows a comparable performance and a much less materials cost than the conventional spiro-OMeTAD. Therefore, we have presented a new low-cost and high-performance HTM through simple molecular engineering.

Spiro-Phenylpyrazole/Fluorene as Hole-Transporting Material for Perovskite Solar Cells

Spiro-OMeTAD with symmetric spiro-bifluorene unit has dominated the investigation of hole-transporting material (HTM) for efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) despite of its low intrinsic hole conductivity and instability. In this study, we designed and synthesized three asymmetric spiro-phenylpyrazole/fluorene base HTMs, namely: WY-1, WY-2 and WY-3. They exhibit excellent electrochemical properties and hole conductivities. Moreover, the PSC based on WY-1 exhibits the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.2%, which is comparable to the control device employing spiro-OMeTAD as HTM (14.8%). These results pave the way to further optimization of both molecular design and device performance of the spiro-based HTMs.

All-inorganic inverse perovskite solar cells using zinc oxide nanocolloids on spin coated perovskite layer

We confirmed the influence of ZnO nanoparticle size and residual water on performance of all inorganic perovskite solar cells. By decreasing the size of the ZnO nanoparticles, the short-circuit current density (Jsc) and open circuit photovoltage (Voc) values are increased and the conversion efficiency is improved. Although the Voc value is not affected by the influence of residual water in the solution for preparing the ZnO layer, the Jsc value drops greatly. As a result, it was found that it is important to use the oxide nanoparticles with a small particle diameter and to reduce the water content in the oxide forming material in order to manufacture a highly efficient all inorganic perovskite solar cells.

Reducing hole transporter use and increasing perovskite solar cell stability with dual-role polystyrene microgel particles

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a disruptive technology that continues to attract considerable attention due to their remarkable and sustained power conversion efficiency increase. Improving PSC stability and reducing expensive hole transport material (HTM) usage are two aspects that are gaining increased attention. In a new approach, we investigate the ability of insulating polystyrene microgel particles (MGs) to increase PSC stability and replace the majority of the HTM phase. MGs are sub-micrometre crosslinked polymer particles that swell in a good solvent. The MGs were prepared using a scalable emulsion polymerisation method. Mixed HTM/MG dispersions were subsequently spin-coated onto PSCs and formed composite HTM-MG layers. The HTMs employed were poly(triaryl amine) (PTAA), poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and Spiro-MeOTAD (Spiro). The MGs formed mechanically robust composite HTMs with PTAA and P3HT. In contrast, Spiro-MG composites contained micro-cracks due the inability of the relatively small Spiro molecules to interdigitate. The efficiencies for the PSCs containing PTAA-MG and P3HT-MG decreased by only ∼20% compared to control PSCs despite PTAA and P3HT being the minority phases. They occupied only ∼35 vol% of the composite HTMs. An unexpected finding from the study was that the MGs dispersed well within the PTAA matrix. This morphology aided strong quenching of the CH₃NH₃PbI_3-xCl_x fluorescence. In addition, the open circuit voltages for the PSCs prepared using P3HT-MG increased by ∼170 mV compared to control PSCs. To demonstrate their versatility the MGs were also used to encapsulate P3HT-based PSCs. Solar cell stability data for the latter as well as those for PSCs containing composite HTM-MG were both far superior compared to data measured for a control PSC. Since MGs can reduce conjugated polymer use and increase stability they have good potential as dual-role PSC additives.

Reduced Interface-Mediated Recombination for High Open-Circuit Voltages in CH3 NH3 PbI3 Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells with all-organic transport layers exhibit efficiencies rivaling their counterparts that employ inorganic transport layers, while avoiding high-temperature processing. Herein, it is investigated how the choice of the fullerene derivative employed in the electron-transporting layer of inverted perovskite cells affects the open-circuit voltage (V_OC ). It is shown that nonradiative recombination mediated by the electron-transporting layer is the limiting factor for the V_OC in the cells. By inserting an ultrathin layer of an insulating polymer between the active CH₃ NH₃ PbI₃ perovskite and the fullerene, an external radiative efficiency of up to 0.3%, a V_OC as high as 1.16 V, and a power conversion efficiency of 19.4% are realized. The results show that the reduction of nonradiative recombination due to charge-blocking at the perovskite/organic interface is more important than proper level alignment in the search for ideal selective contacts toward high V_OC and efficiency.

Non-Conjugated Polymer as an Efficient Dopant-Free Hole-Transporting Material for Perovskite Solar Cells

A new non-conjugated polymer (PVCz-OMeDAD) with good solution processability was developed to serve as an efficient dopant-free hole-transporting material (HTM) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). PVCz-OMeDAD was simply prepared by the free-radical polymerization of vinyl monomers, which were synthesized from low-cost raw materials through three high-yield synthesis steps. The combination of the flexible non-conjugated polyvinyl main chain and hole-transporting methoxydiphenylamine-substituted carbazole side chains endowed PVCz-OMeDAD with excellent film-forming ability, a suitable energy level, and high hole mobility. As a result, by using an ultra-thin (≈30 nm) PVCz-OMeDAD film as cost-effective dopant-free polymer HTM, the conventional n-i-p-type PSCs demonstrated a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 16.09 %, suggesting the great potential of the polymer film for future low-cost, large-scale, flexible PSCs applications.

Modified Fullerenes for Efficient Electron Transport Layer-Free Perovskite/Fullerene Blend-Based Solar Cells

A variety of novel chemically modified fullerenes, showing different electron-accepting capabilities, has been synthesized and used to prepare electron transport layer (ETL)-free solar cells based on perovskite/fullerene blends. In particular, isoxazolino[60] fullerenes are proven to be a good candidate for processing blend films with CH₃ NH₃ PbI₃ and obtaining enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) ETL-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs), improving the state-of-the-art PCE (i.e., 14.3 %) for this simplified device architecture. A beneficial effect for pyrazolino and methano[60]fullerene derivatives versus pristine [60]/fullerene is also shown. Furthermore, a clear correlation between the LUMO energy level of the fullerene component and the open circuit voltage of the solar cells is found. Apart from the new knowledge on innovative fullerene derivatives for PSCs, the universality and versatility of perovskite/fullerene blend films to obtain efficient ETL-free PSCs is demonstrated.

Interfacial Engineering of Perovskite Solar Cells by Employing a Hydrophobic Copper Phthalocyanine Derivative as Hole-Transporting Material with Improved Performance and Stability

In high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs), hole-transporting materials (HTMs) play an important role in extracting and transporting the photo-generated holes from the perovskite absorber to the cathode, thus reducing unwanted recombination losses and enhancing the photovoltaic performance. Herein, solution-processable tetra-4-(bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)amino)phenoxy-substituted copper phthalocyanine (CuPc-OTPAtBu) was synthesized and explored as a HTM in PSCs. The optical, electrochemical, and thermal properties were fully characterized for this organic metal complex. The photovoltaic performance of PSCs employing this CuPc derivative as a HTM was further investigated, in combination with a mixed-ion perovskite as a light absorber and a low-cost vacuum-free carbon as cathode. The optimized devices [doped with 6 % (w/w) tetrafluoro-tetracyano-quinodimethane (F4TCNQ)] showed a decent power conversion efficiency of 15.0 %, with an open-circuit voltage of 1.01 V, a short-circuit current density of 21.9 mA cm^-2 , and a fill factor of 0.68. Notably, the PSC devices studied also exhibited excellent long-term durability under ambient condition for 720 h, mainly owing to the introduction of the hydrophobic HTM interlayer, which prevents moisture penetration into the perovskite film. The present work emphasizes that solution-processable CuPc holds a great promise as a class of alternative HTMs that can be further explored for efficient and stable PSCs in the future.

Self-Functionalization Behind a Solution-Processed NiOx Film Used As Hole Transporting Layer for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Fabrication of solution-processed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) requires the deposition of high quality films from precursor inks. Frequently, buffer layers of PSCs are formed from dispersions of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs). Therefore, the development of trustable methods for the preparation of stable colloidal NPs dispersions is crucial. In this work, a novel approach to form very compact semiconducting buffer layers with suitable optoelectronic properties is presented through a self-functionalization process of the nanocrystalline particles by their own amorphous phase and without adding any other inorganic or organic functionalization component or surfactant. Such interconnecting amorphous phase composed by residual nitrate, hydroxide, and sodium ions, proved to be fundamental to reach stable colloidal dispersions and contribute to assemble the separate crystalline nickel oxide NPs in the final film, resulting in a very homogeneous and compact layer. A proposed mechanism behind the great stabilization of the nanoparticles is exposed. At the end, the self-functionalized nickel oxide layer exhibited high optoelectronic properties enabling perovskite p-i-n solar cells as efficient as 16.6% demonstrating the pertinence of the presented strategy to obtain high quality buffer layers processed in solution at room temperature.

Tetraphenylmethane-Arylamine Hole-Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells

A new class of hole-transporting materials (HTM) containing tetraphenylmethane (TPM) core have been developed. After thermal, charge carrier mobility, and contact angle tests, it was found that TPA-TPM (TPA: arylamine derivates side group) showed higher glass-transition temperature and larger water-contact angle than spiro-OMeTAD with comparable hole mobility. Photoluminescence and impedance spectroscopy studies indicate that TPA-TPM's hole-extraction ability is comparable to that of spiro-OMeTAD. SEM and AFM results suggest that TPA-TPM has a smooth surface. When TPA-TPM is used in mesoscopic perovskite solar cells, power conversion efficiency comparable to that of spiro-OMeTAD is achieved. Notably, the perovskite solar cells employing TPA-TPM show better long-term stability than that of spiro-OMeTAD. Moreover, TPA-TPM can be prepared from relatively inexpensive raw materials with a facile synthetic route. The results demonstrate that TPM-arylamines are a new class of HTMs for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.

High-Performance Regular Perovskite Solar Cells Employing Low-Cost Poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) as a Hole-Transporting Material

Herein, we successfully applied a facile in-situ solid-state synthesis of conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as a HTM, directly on top of the perovskite layer, in conventional mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) (n-i-p structure). The fabrication of the PEDOT film only involved a very simple in-situ solid-state polymerisation step from a monomer 2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (DBEDOT) made from a commercially available and cheap starting material. The ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) demonstrated that the as-prepared PEDOT film possesses the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level of −5.5 eV, which facilitates an effective hole extraction from the perovskite absorber as confirmed by the photoluminescence measurements. Optimised PSC devices employing this polymeric HTM in combination with a low-cost vacuum-free carbon cathode (replacing the gold), show an excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.0% measured at 100 mW cm⁻² illumination (AM 1.5G), with an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 1.05 V, a short-circuit current density (J_sc) of 23.5 mA/cm² and a fill factor (FF) of 0.69, respectively. The present finding highlights the potential application of PEDOT made from solid-state polymerisation as a HTM for cost-effective and highly efficient PSCs.

Emerging of Inorganic Hole Transporting Materials For Perovskite Solar Cells

Hole transporting material (HTM) is a significant component to achieve the high performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Over the years, inorganic, organic and hybrid (organic-inorganic) material based HTMs have been developed and investigated successfully. Today, perovskite solar cells achieved the efficiency of 22.1 % with with 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenyl-amine) 9,9-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) as HTM. Nevertheless, synthesis and cost of organic HTMs is a major challenging issue and therefore alternative materials are required. From the past few years, inorganic HTMs showed large improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability. Recently CuO_x reached the PCE of 19.0% with better stability. These developments affirms that inorganic HTMs are better alternativesto the organic HTMs for next generation PSCs. In this report, we mainly focussed on the recent advances of inorganic and hybrid HTMs for PSCs and highlighted the efficiency and stability of PSCs improved by changing metal oxides as HTMs. Consequently, we expect that energy levels of these inorganic HTMs matches very well with the valence band of perovskites and improved efficiency helps in future practical deployment of low cost PSCs.

Alq3 (tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminium) as a selective n-type contact for FAMAPIBr perovskite solar cells with efficient energy transfer to increase the solar cell photocurrent

We investigate the dual use of tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminium, known as Alq3, as selective contact for electrons and, moreover, as fluorescence emitting layer to increase the photocurrent of perovskite solar cells.

Facile synthesis of a dopant-free hole transporting material with a phenothiazine core for planar perovskite solar cells

PTZ-TPA was incorporated into a CH₃NH₃PbI₃ perovskite solar cell as a dopant-free HTM exhibiting a comparable PCE (14.1%) and higher stability compared with that of HTM Spiro-MeOTAD with dopant (17.1%).

High-efficiency perovskite solar cells employing a conjugated donor–acceptor co-polymer as a hole-transporting material

In this work, we have successfully demonstrated that molecularly p-doping of donor–acceptor co-polymer PCPDTBT as an efficient hole-transporting material in perovskite solar cells with a decent power conversion efficiency of 15.1%.

A Low-Temperature, Solution-Processable Organic Electron-Transporting Layer Based on Planar Coronene for High-performance Conventional Perovskite Solar Cells

A low-temperature, solution-processable organic electron-transporting material (ETM) is successfully developed for efficient conventional n-i-p perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). This ETM can show a high efficiency over 17% on rigid device and 14.2% on flexible PVSC. To the best of our knowledge, this efficiency is among the highest values reported for flexible n-i-p PVSCs with negligible hysteresis thus far.

Elemental Mapping of Perovskite Solar Cells by Using Multivariate Analysis: An Insight into Degradation Processes

The technology of perovskite-based solar cells is evolving rapidly, reaching certified power conversion efficiency values now exceeding 20 %. One of the main drawbacks hindering progress in the field is the long-term stability of the cells: the mixed halide perovskites used in most devices are sensitive to humidity and degrade on a timescale varying from hours to weeks. The degradation mechanisms are poorly understood, but likely arise from combined physical and chemical modifications at the nanometer scale. The characterization of pristine and degraded materials is difficult owing to their complex chemical and physical structure and their relatively poor stability. In this work, we investigated the changes in local composition and morphology of a standard device after 2 months of air exposure in the dark, using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with nanometer resolution for imaging and analysis. Because of a state-of-the-art technique that combines STEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and the use of different decomposition algorithms for multivariate analysis, we highlighted the migration of elements across the interfaces between the layers comprising the device. We also noticed a morphological degradation of the hole-transporting layer (HTL), representing one of the main factors enabling the infiltration of moisture in the device, which results in reduced performance.

Graphene-Perovskite Solar Cells Exceed 18 % Efficiency: A Stability Study

Interface engineering is performed by the addition of graphene and related 2 D materials (GRMs) into perovskite solar cells (PSCs), leading to improvements in the power conversion efficiency (PCE). By doping the mesoporous TiO₂ layer with graphene flakes (mTiO₂ +G), produced by liquid-phase exfoliation of pristine graphite, and by inserting graphene oxide (GO) as an interlayer between the perovskite and hole-transport layers, using a two-step deposition procedure in air, we achieved a PCE of 18.2 %. The obtained PCE value mainly results from improved charge-carrier injection/collection with respect to conventional PSCs. Although the addition of GRMs does not influence the shelf life, it is beneficial for the stability of PSCs under several aging conditions. In particular, mTiO₂ +G PSCs retain more than 88 % of the initial PCE after 16 h of prolonged 1 sun illumination at the maximum power point. Moreover, when subjected to prolonged heating at 60 °C, the GO-based structures show enhanced stability with respect to mTiO₂ +G PSCs, as a result of thermally induced modification at the mTiO₂ +G/perovskite interface. The exploitation of GRMs in the form of dispersions and inks opens the way for scalable large-area production, advancing the possible commercialization of PSCs.

Role of Metal Oxide Electron-Transport Layer Modification on the Stability of High Performing Perovskite Solar Cells

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite light absorbers have recently emerged as a "holy grail" for next generation thin-film photovoltaics with excellent optoelectronics properties and low fabrication cost. In a very short span of time, we have witnessed a pronounced and unexpected progress in organic- inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a vertical rise in power conversion efficiency from 3.8 to 22.1 %. In this manuscript we focus specifically on the recent development of metal oxide-based electron-transporting layer (ETL) modification for high performing PSCs and their stability. This review highlights various methodologies to modify existing compact/scaffold layers for improving device performance and stability. Various aspects of the ETL are discussed with different metal oxide compact layers in their relation to modification in mesoporous layers towards the design of a cell structure with high performance and stability.

Hexaazatrinaphthylene Derivatives: Efficient Electron-Transporting Materials with Tunable Energy Levels for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

Hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATNA) derivatives have been successfully shown to function as efficient electron-transporting materials (ETMs) for perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). The cells demonstrate a superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.6 % with negligible hysteresis. This study provides one of the first nonfullerene small-molecule-based ETMs for high-performance p-i-n PVSCs.

Efficient Regular Perovskite Solar Cells Based on Pristine [70]Fullerene as Electron-Selective Contact

[70]Fullerene is presented as an efficient alternative electron-selective contact (ESC) for regular-architecture perovskite solar cells (PSCs). A smart and simple, well-described solution processing protocol for the preparation of [70]- and [60]fullerene-based solar cells, namely the fullerene saturation approach (FSA), allowed us to obtain similar power conversion efficiencies for both fullerene materials (i.e., 10.4 and 11.4 % for [70]- and [60]fullerene-based devices, respectively). Importantly, despite the low electron mobility and significant visible-light absorption of [70]fullerene, the presented protocol allows the employment of [70]fullerene as an efficient ESC. The [70]fullerene film thickness and its solubility in the perovskite processing solutions are crucial parameters, which can be controlled by the use of this simple solution processing protocol. The damage to the [70]fullerene film through dissolution during the perovskite deposition is avoided through the saturation of the perovskite processing solution with [70]fullerene. Additionally, this fullerene-saturation strategy improves the performance of the perovskite film significantly and enhances the power conversion efficiency of solar cells based on different ESCs (i.e., [60]fullerene, [70]fullerene, and TiO2 ). Therefore, this universal solution processing protocol widens the opportunities for the further development of PSCs.