Grain Boundary Modification via F4TCNQ To Reduce Defects of Perovskite Solar Cells with Excellent Device Performance

Polyfluorinated Organic Diammonium Induced Lead Iodide Arrangement for Efficient Two-Step-Processed Perovskite Solar Cells

The inefficient conversion of lead iodide to perovskite has become one of the major challenges in further improving the performance of perovskite solar cells fabricated by the two-step method. Herein, the discontinuous lead iodide layer realized by introduction of a polyfluorinated organic diammonium salt, octafluoro-([1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl)-dimethanaminium (OFPP) iodide which does not form low-dimensional perovskites, can enable the satisfactory conversion of lead iodide into perovskite, leading to meliorated crystallinity and enlarged grains in the OFPP modulated perovskite (OFPP-PVK) film. Combined with the effective defect passivation, the OFPP-PVK films show enhanced charge mobility and suppressed charge recombination. Accordingly, the OFPP-based perovskite solar cells exhibit a champion efficiency of 24.76 % with better device stability. Moreover, a superior efficiency of 21.04 % was achieved in a large-area perovskite module (100 cm2). Our work provides a unique insight into the function of organic diammonium additive in boosting photovoltaic performance.

Dedoping of Intraband Silver Selenide Colloidal Quantum Dots through Strong Electronic Coupling at Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Interfaces

Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) infrared (IR) photodetectors can be fabricated and operated with larger spectral tunability, fewer limitations in terms of cooling requirements and substrate lattice matching, and at a potentially lower cost than detectors based on traditional bulk materials. Silver selenide (Ag2Se) has emerged as a promising sustainable alternative to current state-of-the-art toxic semiconductors based on lead, cadmium, and mercury operating in the IR. However, an impeding gap in available absorption bandwidth for Ag2Se CQDs exists in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) region due to degenerate doping by the environment, switching the CQDs from intrinsic interband semiconductors in the near-infrared (NIR) to intraband absorbing CQDs in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR). Herein, we show that the small molecular p-type dopant 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ) can be used to extract electrons from the 1Se state of MWIR active Ag2Se CQDs to activate their intrinsic energy gap in the SWIR window. We demonstrate quenching of the MWIR Ag2Se absorbance peak, shifting of nitrile vibrational peaks characteristic of charge-neutral F4-TCNQ, as well as enhanced CQD absorption around ∼2500 nm after doping both in ambient and under air-free conditions. We elucidate the doping mechanism to be one that involves an integer charge transfer akin to doping in semiconducting polymers. These indications of charge transfer are promising milestones on the path to achieving sustainable SWIR Ag2Se CQD photodetectors.

Disentangling Electronic Transport and Hysteresis at Individual Grain Boundaries in Hybrid Perovskites via Automated Scanning Probe Microscopy

Underlying the rapidly increasing photovoltaic efficiency and stability of metal halide perovskites (MHPs) is the advancement in the understanding of the microstructure of polycrystalline MHP thin film. Over the past decade, intense efforts have been aimed at understanding the effect of microstructures on MHP properties, including chemical heterogeneity, strain disorder, phase impurity, etc. It has been found that grain and grain boundary (GB) are tightly related to lots of microscale and nanoscale behavior in MHP thin films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is widely used to observe grain and boundary structures in topography and subsequently to study the correlative surface potential and conductivity of these structures. For now, most AFM measurements have been performed in imaging mode to study the static behavior; in contrast, AFM spectroscopy mode allows us to investigate the dynamic behavior of materials, e.g., conductivity under sweeping voltage. However, a major limitation of AFM spectroscopy measurements is that they require manual operation by human operators, and as such only limited data can be obtained, hindering systematic investigations of these microstructures. In this work, we designed a workflow combining the conductive AFM measurement with a machine learning (ML) algorithm to systematically investigate grain boundaries in MHPs. The trained ML model can extract GBs locations from the topography image, and the workflow drives the AFM probe to each GB location to perform a current-voltage (IV) curve automatically. Then, we are able to have IV curves at all GB locations, allowing us to systematically understand the property of GBs. Using this method, we discovered that the GB junction points are less conductive, potentially more photoactive, and can play critical roles in MHP stability, while most previous works only focused on the difference between GB and grains.

Defect Passivation Effect of Chemical Groups on Perovskite Solar Cells

Defect passivation is a key strategy to prepare high-performance perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). Even though abundant passivation molecules have been applied, the absence of detailed researches with regard to different functional groups in polymer additives may inevitably impede the establishment of passivation molecules selection rules. In this work, three passivation molecules including poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polymethyl acrylate (PMA), and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) are employed to systematically analyze the passivation effect from hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups. In general, PVA (-OH) can form hydrogen bonds with perovskite and PMA (-C═O) can complex with uncoordinated Pb²⁺. Specifically, PAA (-COOH) can interact selectively with MA⁺ and I^- ions via hydrogen bonding and complex with uncoordinated Pb²⁺ to passivate defects more effectively. Hence, the PAA-incorporated PVSCs based on MAPbI₃ achieve the champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.29% with open-circuit voltage up to 1.13 V. In addition, PAA cross-linking perovskite grains can relieve mechanical stress, as well as occupy the major channels to suppress ion migration and water/oxygen erosion. The corresponding unencapsulated devices demonstrate a superior light soaking stability, retaining more than 80% of the original PCE under one sun illumination for 1000 h.

Transition Metals Embedded Two-Dimensional Square Tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane Monolayers as a Class of Novel Electrocatalysts for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction

The combination of transition metal (TM) atoms and high electron affinity organic framework tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethanes (F₄TCNQs) makes the TM-embedded two-dimensional (2D) square F₄TCNQ monolayers (TM-sF₄TCNQ) possible to have excellent characteristics of single-atom catalysts and 2D materials. For the first time, the TM-sF₄TCNQ monolayers have been considered for application in the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) field. Through high-throughput screening, the catalytic performance of 30 TM-sF₄TCNQ (TM = 3d∼5d TMs) monolayers for eNRR was comprehensively evaluated. The Mo-, Nb-, and Tc-sF₄TCNQ catalysts stand out with the onset potentials of -0.18, -0.44, and -0.54 V, respectively, through the optimal reaction paths. Our work will provide guidance for the green and sustainable development of electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation.

Ion Migration in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells: Current Understanding and Perspectives

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (OIHPs) solar cells are the most promising alternatives to traditional silicon solar cells, with a certified power conversion efficiency beyond 25%. However, the poor stability of OHIPs is one of the thorniest obstacles that hinder its commercial development. Among all the factors affecting stability, ion migration is prominent because it is unavoidable and intrinsic in OHIPs. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanism for ion migration and regulation strategies. Herein, the types of ions that may migrate in OHIPs are first discussed; afterward, the migrating channels are demonstrated. The effects of ion migration are further elaborated. While ion migration can facilitate the p-i-n structure in some cases, the current hysteresis and other adverse effects such as phase segregation in OHIPs attract widespread attention. Based on these, several recent strategies to suppress the ion migration are enumerated, including the introduction of alkali cations, organic additives, grain boundaries passivation, and employment of low-dimensional perovskites. Finally, the prospect for further modulating the ion migration and more stable perovskite solar cells is proposed.

2D Perovsktie Substrate-Assisted CsPbI3 Film Growth for High-Efficiency Solar Cells

High-quality perovskite films are beneficial for fabricating perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with excellent photoelectric performance. The substrate on which the perovskite film grows plays a profound role in improving the crystallization quality of the perovskite film. Here, we proposed a novel method for optimizing CsPbI₃ perovskite films, that is, two-dimensional (2D) perovskite substrate-assisted growth (2D-PSAG) method. The prepared PEA₂PbI₄ 2D perovskite with proper wettability and roughness is used as a substrate to fabricate the high-quality CsPbI₃ film. Moreover, it is found that PEA cations show a vertical gradient distribution within the whole CsPbI₃ film because of their bottom-up self-diffusion. Also, PEA cations induce the moderate distortion of [PbI₆]^4- octahedron and slight lattice contraction of CsPbI₃ by chemically bonding between Pb and N atoms. Surprisingly, the trace amounts of PEA cations lead to a bottom-up gradient phase transition from γ-CsPbI₃ to β-CsPbI₃. Therefore, the energy-level alignment becomes more matched at the interface of the perovskite layer/hole transport layer (poly3-hexylthiophene, P3HT), which denotes a large improvement of hole transport and extraction in PSCs made with the 2D-PSAG method. As a result, the CsPbI₃-based PSCs with P3HT as a hole transport layer exhibit a champion efficiency of 17.13%, while the control device exhibits a PCE of only 14.16%. The PSCs made by the 2D-PSAG method retain above 70% of the initial PCE value after storage of 9 days in air (RH 10-20%), while the control device decomposes completely after 9 days. The improved stability could originate from the steric effects of PEA cations and the high crystallization quality of the mixed-phase CsPbI₃ film. Therefore, 2D-PSAG is a novel and promising strategy to develop all-inorganic PSCs with high performance and stability.

Homojunction Perovskite Quantum Dot Solar Cells with over 1 µm-Thick Photoactive Layer

The solution-processed solar cells based on colloidal quantum dots (QDs) reported so far generally suffer from poor thickness tolerance and it is difficult for them to be compatible with large-scale solution printing technology. However, the recently emerged perovskite QDs, with unique high defect tolerance, are particularly well-suited for efficient photovoltaics. Herein, efficient CsPbI₃ perovskite QD solar cells are demonstrated first with over 1 µm-thick active layer by developing an internal P/N homojunction. Specifically, an organic dopant 2,2'-(perfluoronaphthalene-2,6-diylidene) dimalononitrile (F6TCNNQ) is introduced into CsPbI₃ QD arrays to prepare different carrier-type QD arrays. The detailed characterizations reveal successful charge-transfer doping of QDs and carrier-type transformation from n-type to p-type. Subsequently, the P/N homojunction perovskite QD solar cell is assembled using different carrier-type QDs, delivering an enhanced power conversion efficiency of 15.29%. Most importantly, this P/N homojunction strategy realizes remarkable thickness tolerance of QD solar cells, showing a record high efficiency of 12.28% for a 1.2 µm-thick QD active-layer and demonstrating great potential for the future printing manufacturing of QDs solar cells.

Research progress of ABX3-type lead-free perovskites for optoelectronic applications: materials and devices

We summarize the development and application of ABX3-type lead-free halide perovskite materials, especially in optoelectronic devices.

Microsecond dynamics of molecular negative ions formed by low-energy electron attachment to fluorinated tetracyanoquinodimethane

Low-energy (0-15 eV) electron interactions with gas-phase 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ) molecules are studied under single collision conditions using dissociative electron attachment spectroscopy. The experimental findings are supported by density functional theory calculations of the virtual orbital energies and energetics of the dissociative decays. Long-lived molecular negative ions F4-TCNQ^- are detected in a wide electron energy range (0-3 eV) with electron detachment times in the range of milliseconds. Although plenty of decay channels are observed, their intensities are found to be very small (two to four orders of magnitude relative to the F4-TCNQ^- signal). These findings prove that the structure of this strong electron-accepting molecule bearing an excess electron is robust in its electronic ground state, even when highly (up to 6 eV) vibrationally excited. As many as nine metastable fragment anions formed slowly (in the 16-23 µs range) are found in the negative ion mass spectrum of F4-TCNQ, as never observed before in compounds possessing high electron-accepting ability. The present results shed some light on microsecond dynamics of isolated F4-TCNQ molecules under conditions of excess negative charge, which are important for understanding the functionality of nanoscale devices containing this molecule as a structural element.

Additive Engineering for Efficient and Stable MAPbI3-Perovskite Solar Cells with an Efficiency of over 21

The high density of defects in MAPbI₃ perovskite films brings about severe carrier nonradiative recombination loss, which lowers the performance of MAPbI₃-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, methylamine cyanate (MAOCN) molecules were introduced into MAPbI₃ solutions to manipulate the crystallizatsion of the MAPbI₃ films. MAOCN molecules can slow down the volatilization rate of the solvent and delay the crystallization process of the MAPbI₃ film. The crystal quality of the MAPbI₃ films is effectively optimized without an additive residue. Perovskite films treated by MAOCN have lower defect density and longer carrier lifetime, which lowers the carrier recombination loss. Meanwhile, the MAPbI₃ film based on MAOCN has a more hydrophobic surface. The final MAPbI₃-based device efficiency reached 21.28% (V_OC = 1.126 V, J_SC = 23.29 mA/cm², and FF = 81.13). After 30 days of storage under atmospheric conditions, the efficiency of unencapsulated MAOCN-based PSCs only dropped by about 5%.

Fluorinated Oligomer Wrapped Perovskite Crystals for Inverted MAPbI3 Solar Cells with 21% Efficiency and Enhanced Stability

Defects at the grain boundary provide sites for nonradiative recombination in halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, by polymerization and fluorination of a Lewis acid of 4,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)pentanoic acid, a fluorinated oligomer (FO-19) is synthesized and applied to passivate these defects in methlyammonium lead iodide (MAPbI₃). It is demonstrated that the carboxyl bond of FO-19 was coordinated with Pb ions in the perovskite films to achieve a wrapping effect on the perovskite crystals. The defects of perovskite film are effectively passivated, and the undesirable nonradiative recombination is greatly inhibited. As a result, FO-19 gives a power conversion efficiency of 21.23% for the inverted MAPbI₃-based PSCs, which is among the highest reported values in the literature. Meanwhile, the corresponding device with FO-19 exhibits significantly improved humidity and thermal stability. Therefore, this work offers insights into the realization of high-efficiency and stable PSCs through fluorinated additive engineering.

Spectral Instability of Layered Mixed Halide Perovskites Results from Anion Phase Redistribution and Selective Hole Injection

Despite the ability to precisely tune their bandgap energies, mixed halide perovskites (MHPs) suffer from significant spectral instability, which obstructs their utilization for the rational design of light-emitting diodes. Here, we investigate the origin of the electroluminescence peak shifts in layered MHPs containing bromide and iodide. X-ray diffraction and steady-state absorption measurements prove effective integration of iodide into the cubic lattice and the spatially uniform distribution of halides in the ambient environment. However, the applied electric field during the device operation is found to drive the systematic halide migration. Quantum mechanical density functional theory calculations reveal that the different activation energies required for directional ion hopping lead to the redistribution of anions. In-depth analyses of the electroluminescence spectra indicate that the spectral shifting rate is dependent on the drift velocity of halides. Finally, it is suggested from our study that the dominant red emission is ascribed to the thermodynamically favorable selective hole injection. Our mechanistic study provides insights into the fundamental reason for the spectral instability of devices based on MHPs.

Effects of ion migration and improvement strategies for the operational stability of perovskite solar cells

The fundamental factor affecting the stability of perovskite solar cells, ion migration, has been reviewed, which is found to be closely related to the degradation of perovskite solar cells. Characterization methods like impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic measurement to identify ion migration in perovskite films have been reviewed. The influence of light on ion migration was further discussed, which could largely explain the photo-stability decay in most perovskite solar cells. Finally, several solutions to inhibit ion migration for better operational stability of perovskite solar cells were summarized, including bulk passivation, interface passivation and grain boundary passivation. Several strategies have also been proposed to further improve the stablity of perovskite solar cells.

Enhanced Photovoltaic Properties of Perovskite Solar Cells by Employing Bathocuproine/Hydrophobic Polymer Films as Hole-Blocking/Electron-Transporting Interfacial Layers

In this study, we improved the photovoltaic (PV) properties and storage stabilities of inverted perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) based on methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) by employing bathocuproine (BCP)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and BCP/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as hole-blocking and electron-transporting interfacial layers. The architecture of the PVSCs was indium tin oxide/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate/MAPbI3/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester/BCP based interfacial layer/Ag. The presence of PMMA and PVP affected the morphological stability of the BCP and MAPbI3 layers. The storage-stability of the BCP/PMMA-based PVSCs was enhanced significantly relative to that of the corresponding unmodified BCP-based PVSC. Moreover, the PV performance of the BCP/PVP-based PVSCs was enhanced when compared with that of the unmodified BCP-based PVSC. Thus, incorporating hydrophobic polymers into BCP-based hole-blocking/electron-transporting interfacial layers can improve the PV performance and storage stability of PVSCs.

Realization of Moisture-Resistive Perovskite Films for Highly Efficient Solar Cells Using Molecule Incorporation

The development of highly crystalline perovskite films with large crystal grains and few surface defects is attractive to obtain high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with good device stability. Herein, we simultaneously improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and humid stability of the CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (CH₃NH₃ = MA) device by incorporating small organic molecule IT-4F into the perovskite film and using a buffer layer of PFN-Br. The presence of IT-4F in the perovskite film can successfully improve crystallinity and enhance the grain size, leading to reduced trap states and longer lifetime of the charge carrier, and make the perovskite film hydrophobic. Meanwhile, as a buffer layer, PFN-Br can accelerate the separation of excitons and promote the transfer process of electrons from the active layer to the cathode. As a consequence, the PSCs exhibit a remarkably improved PCE of 20.55% with reduced device hysteresis. Moreover, the moisture-resistive film-based devices retain about 80% of their initial efficiency after 30 days of storage in relative humidity of 10-30% without encapsulation.

High-Performance and Reliable Lead-Free Layered-Perovskite Transistors

Perovskites have been intensively investigated for their use in solar cells and light-emitting diodes. However, research on their applications in thin-film transistors (TFTs) has drawn less attention despite their high intrinsic charge carrier mobility. In this study, the universal approaches for high-performance and reliable p-channel lead-free phenethylammonium tin iodide TFTs are reported. These include self-passivation for grain boundary by excess phenethylammonium iodide, grain crystallization control by adduct, and iodide vacancy passivation through oxygen treatment. It is found that the grain boundary passivation can increase TFT reproducibility and reliability, and the grain size enlargement can hike the TFT performance, thus, enabling the first perovskite-based complementary inverter demonstration with n-channel indium gallium zinc oxide TFTs. The inverter exhibits a high gain over 30 with an excellent noise margin. This work aims to provide widely applicable and repeatable methods to make the gate more open for intensive efforts toward high-performance printed perovskite TFTs.

Nitrobenzene as Additive to Improve Reproducibility and Degradation Resistance of Highly Efficient Methylammonium-Free Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

We show that the addition of 1% (v/v) nitrobenzene within the perovskite formulation can be used as a method to improve the power conversion efficiency and reliability performance of methylammonium-free (CsFA) inverted perovskite solar cells. The addition of nitrobenzene increased power conversion efficiency (PCE) owing to defect passivation and provided smoother films, resulting in hybrid perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) with a narrower PCE distribution. Moreover, the nitrobenzene additive methylammonium-free hybrid PVSCs exhibit a prolonged lifetime compared with additive-free PVSCs owing to enhanced air and moisture degradation resistance.

All-vacuum deposited and thermally stable perovskite solar cells with F4-TCNQ/CuPc hole transport layer

Hole transporting layers (HTLs) play a crucial role in the realization of efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) is a promising HTL owing to its thermal stability and favorable band alignment with the perovskite absorber. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs with a CuPc HTL is still lagging behind highly efficient solar cells. Herein, a p-type tetrafluoro-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ) is employed as an interlayer between the perovskite and CuPc HTL in all-vacuum deposited PSCs. The F4-TCNQ interlayer improves the conductivity of both MAPbI₃ and CuPc, reduces the shunt pathway and facilitates an efficient photoexcited holes transfer from the valance band of the MAPbI₃ to the LUMO of the F4-TCNQ. Consequently, the best solar cell device with an F4-TCNQ interlayer achieved a PCE of 13.03% with a remarkable improvement in fill factor. Moreover, the device showed superior stability against thermal stress at 85 °C over 250 h and retained ∼95% of its initial efficiency. This work demonstrates a significant step towards all-vacuum deposited perovskite solar cells with high thermal stability.

Towards efficient and stable perovskite solar cells employing non-hygroscopic F4-TCNQ doped TFB as the hole-transporting material

Designing an efficient and stable hole transport layer (HTL) material is one of the essential ways to improve the performance of organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, for the first time, an efficient model of a hole transport material (HTM) is demonstrated by optimized doping of a conjugated polymer TFB (poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-(4,4'-(N-(4-sec-butylphenyl)diphenylamine)]) with a non-hygroscopic p-type dopant F4-TCNQ (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) for high-efficiency PSCs. The PSC with the F4-TCNQ doped TFB exhibits the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.46%, which surpasses that of the reference devices, i.e., 16.64 (LiTFSI + TBP-doped Spiro-OMeTAD as the HTM) and 11.01% (LiTFSI + TBP-doped TFB as the HTM). F4-TCNQ doped TFB was believed to favor efficient charge and energy transfer between the perovskite and the hole transport layer and to reduce charge recombination as evidenced by steady-state photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) analysis. Moreover, the hydrophobic nature of F4-TCNQ contributed to enhancing the stability of the device under ambient conditions with a RH of 45%. The device reported herein retained ca. 80% of its initial efficiency after 10 days, significantly superior to both LiTFSI + TBP-doped Spiro-OMeTAD (ca. 30%) and LiTFSI + TBP-doped TFB (ca. 10%) based counterparts. This simple yet novel strategy paves the way for demonstrating a promising route for a wide range of highly efficient solar cells and other photovoltaic applications.

Causes and Solutions of Recombination in Perovskite Solar Cells

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials are receiving increasing attention and becoming star materials on account of their unique and intriguing optical and electrical properties, such as high molar extinction coefficient, wide absorption spectrum, low excitonic binding energy, ambipolar carrier transport property, long carrier diffusion length, and high defects tolerance. Although a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 22.7% is certified for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), it is still far from the theoretical Shockley-Queisser limit efficiency (30.5%). Obviously, trap-assisted nonradiative (also called Shockley-Read-Hall, SRH) recombination in perovskite films and interface recombination should be mainly responsible for the above efficiency distance. Here, recent research advancements in suppressing bulk SRH recombination and interface recombination are systematically investigated. For reducing SRH recombination in the films, engineering perovskite composition, additives, dimensionality, grain orientation, nonstoichiometric approach, precursor solution, and post-treatment are explored. The focus herein is on the recombination at perovskite/electron-transporting material and perovskite/hole-transporting material interfaces in normal or inverted PSCs. Strategies for suppressing bulk and interface recombination are described. Additionally, the effect of trap-assisted nonradiative recombination on hysteresis and stability of PSCs is discussed. Finally, possible solutions and reasonable prospects for suppressing recombination losses are presented.

High-Efficiency and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Prepared Using Chlorobenzene/Acetonitrile Antisolvent

Preparing high-quality perovskite film with large grain size and fewer trap states is of vital importance in boosting the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, it is still difficult to obtain perfect MAPbI₃ films by antisolvent treatment so far because of the small grain size, pinholes, and numerous defects in perovskite layers. Herein, acetonitrile (ACN) was introduced into chlorobenzene (CB) antisolvent to modify the MAPbI₃ active layer. The results show that the ACN could control the ratio of the DMSO in MAI-PbI₂-DMSO intermediate phase film effectively and thus manipulate the formation of MAPbI₃ film. Relatively high-quality perovskite films with larger grain size were obtained when we added 6% v/v ACN into CB antisolvent. Based on the ACN-modified MAPbI₃ film, the n-i-p planar device with the structure of FTO/SnO₂/MAPbI₃/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag yields the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.9%. It exhibited an enhancement of 16.6% in efficiency compared with the PCE of 16.2% for the control device. In addition, the device based on ACN-modified MAPbI₃ also presents improved stability in air atmosphere.

Amphiphilic Fullerenes Employed to Improve the Quality of Perovskite Films and the Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells

Fullerene end-capped polyethylene glycol (C60-PEG) was introduced via an antisolvent method to fabricate the perovskite films. C60-PEG could enlarge the perovskite crystal size and passivate the defects of perovskite films, facilitating the carrier transport and hindering the carrier recombination. In consequence, the superior optoelectronic properties were attained with an improved power conversion efficiency of 17.71% for the perovskite device with C60-PEG treatment. Meanwhile, amphiphilic C60-PEG enhanced the resistance of perovskite films to moisture. After 40 days, the C60-PEG-based devices without encapsulation remained 93 and 86% of the original power conversion efficiency value under nitrogen and ambient conditions (25 °C temperature, 60% humidity), respectively.

Conductivity Tuning via Doping with Electron Donating and Withdrawing Molecules in Perovskite CsPbI3 Nanocrystal Films

Doping of semiconductors enables fine control over the excess charge carriers, and thus the overall electronic properties, crucial to many technologies. Controlled doping in lead-halide perovskite semiconductors has thus far proven to be difficult. However, lower dimensional perovskites such as nanocrystals, with their high surface-area-to-volume ratio, are particularly well-suited for doping via ground-state molecular charge transfer. Here, the tunability of the electronic properties of perovskite nanocrystal arrays is detailed using physically adsorbed molecular dopants. Incorporation of the dopant molecules into electronically coupled CsPbI₃ nanocrystal arrays is confirmed via infrared and photoelectron spectroscopies. Untreated CsPbI₃ nanocrystal films are found to be slightly p-type with increasing conductivity achieved by incorporating the electron-accepting dopant 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F₄ TCNQ) and decreasing conductivity for the electron-donating dopant benzyl viologen. Time-resolved spectroscopic measurements reveal the time scales of Auger-mediated recombination in the presence of excess electrons or holes. Microwave conductance and field-effect transistor measurements demonstrate that both the local and long-range hole mobility are improved by F₄ TCNQ doping of the nanocrystal arrays. The improved hole mobility in photoexcited p-type arrays leads to a pronounced enhancement in phototransistors.

Symmetry Breaking at MAPbI3 Perovskite Grain Boundaries Suppresses Charge Recombination: Time-Domain ab Initio Analysis

The influence of grain boundaries (GBs) on charge carrier lifetimes in methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite (MAPbI₃) remains unclear. Some experiments suggest that GBs promote rapid nonradiative decay and deteriorate device performance, while other measurements indicate that charge recombination happens primarily in non-GB regions and that GBs facilitate charge separation and collection. By combining time-domain density functional theory and nonadiabatic (NA) molecular dynamics, we demonstrate that charge separation and localization happening at MAPbI₃ GBs due to symmetry breaking suppresses charge recombination. Even though GBs lower the MAPbI₃ bandgap and charge localization enhances interactions with phonons, electron-hole separation decreases the NA coupling, and the excited state lifetime remains virtually unchanged compared to the pristine perovskite. Our study rationalizes how GBs can have a positive influence on perovskite optoelectronic properties and advances fundamental understanding of charge carrier dynamics in these fascinating materials.

Passivation of Grain Boundary by Squaraine Zwitterions for Defect Passivation and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Unavoidable defects in grain boundaries (GBs) are detrimental and critically influence the organometal halide perovskite performance and stability. To address this issue, semiconducting molecules have been employed to passivate traps along perovskite GBs. Here, we designed and synthesized three squaraine molecules (SQ) with zwitterionic structure to interact with under-coordinated Pb²⁺ and passivate Pb-I antisite defects. Density functional theory calculation shows symmetric O atoms could coordinate with perovskite grains simultaneously, resulting in continuous charge distribution at the SQ-perovskite interface. The energetic traps distribution in CH₃NH₃PbI₃ perovskite is influenced significantly by the interaction between SQ and perovskite as analyzed by thermally stimulated current, in which the deep-level defects are considerably reduced due to efficient SQ passivation. In addition, we explore how SQ molecules with different energy offset affect the charge extraction, which is suggested to facilitate exciton separation at the perovskite-SQ interface. These benefits lead to enhanced perovskite efficiency from 15.77 to 18.83% with the fill factor approaching 80%, which is among the highest efficiency reported for MAPbI₃ solar cells fabricated in an ambient environment at 60% relative humidity (RH). Considerable retardation of perovskite device degradation was achieved, retaining 90% of initial efficiency when kept 600 h at 60 ± 5% RH.

A bendable nickel oxide interfacial layer via polydopamine crosslinking for flexible perovskite solar cells

Flexible perovskite solar cells based on polydopamine cross-linked NiO_x exhibited over 70% efficiency retention after 1000 bending cycles.

Thiocyanate Containing Two-Dimensional Cesium Lead Iodide Perovskite, Cs2PbI2(SCN)2: Characterization, Photovoltaic Application, and Degradation Mechanism

We explored thiocyanate (SCN)-based two-dimensional (2D) organometal lead halide perovskite families toward photovoltaic applications. Using an SCN axial ligand and various cation species, we examined AA'PbI₂(SCN)₂-type 2D perovskite by replacing the cation species (AA') between methylammonium (MA), formamidinium (FA), and cesium. Among various cation compositions, only all-inorganic cesium-based SCN perovskite, Cs₂PbI₂(SCN)₂, film showed high thermal stability compared to known 2D perovskites. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using the Cs₂PbI₂(SCN)₂ absorber yielded approximately 2% conversion efficiency on the mesoscopic device. Relatively low efficiency is attributed, in addition to optical properties (large band gap (2.05 eV) and exciton absorption), to the orientation of perovskite layer parallel to the layered structure, preventing carrier extraction from the light-absorber perovskite. In device stability, the Cs-based 2D perovskite was stable against oxygen (oxidation), whereas it was found to be unstable against humidity. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements showed that, unlike long alkylammonium-based 2D perovskite families such as BA₂PbI₄ (BA = butylammonium), the Cs-based 2D perovskite can undergo hydrolysis due to the hydrophilic Cs cations.

In Situ Grain Boundary Modification via Two-Dimensional Nanoplates to Remarkably Improve Stability and Efficiency of Perovskite Solar Cells

Even though a record efficiency of 23.3% has been achieved in organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells, their stability remains a critical issue, which greatly depends on the morphology of perovskite absorbers. Herein, we report a practical grain boundary modification to remarkably improve the humidity and thermal stability by gradually growing in situ two-dimensional nanoplates between the grain boundaries of perovskite films using phenylethylammonium iodide (PEAI). The experimental results show that PEAI nanoplates play a critical role in stabilizing perovskite thin films by reducing the moisture sensitivity and suppressing phase transition at the grain boundaries. In addition to the significant improved ambient stability, the grain boundary modification by PEAI can effectively suppress the nonradiative charge recombination at grain boundaries. As a result, the efficiency of perovskite solar cells is up to 20.34% with significant humidity and thermal stability.