Chen Weijie

To reach their efficiency limit, perovskite solar cells must re‐emit all the photons absorbed by their active material. Herein, it is demonstrated that this does not only require an efficient perovskite passivation but also minimizing fluorescence reabsorption in the electrode materials. Moreover, it is proposed that excessive passivation, while enhancing fluorescence, introduces interfacial energy barriers, lowering the device performance.

Bringing the V _oc of a perovskite solar cell toward its radiative value, corresponding to a 100% external fluorescence quantum yield (QY) of the cell, has been pursued to reach the highest performance photovoltaic devices. Therefore, much research has been focused on maximizing the QY of the active layer isolated from the rest of the cell layers. However, such quantity does not often correlate with the V _oc following the ideal diode relation. Herein, the QYs of complete FA_0.8MA_0.2PbI_3−y Br _y solar cells are reported, ranging from 0.1% to 3%, and compared with their V _ocs, ranging from 1 to 1.13 V. By combining these measurements with electromagnetic simulations based on a full‐wavevector detailed balance and a fluorescence power‐loss model, it is demonstrated that a nonoptimal V _oc in mixed‐cation lead halide perovskite cells is not only due to nonradiative photocarrier recombination at traps. In addition to the expected parasitic absorption of the emitted photons in the electrode layers, discrepancies appear between V _oc and QY. These discrepancies are attributed to the rise of energy barriers, a side effect of trap removal. Indeed, although surface passivation may enhance the QY, its beneficial effect may be counterbalanced by the emergence of such barriers between active and charge‐transporting layers.

A conjugated polyelectrolyte is used for simultaneously tailoring the perovskite adjacent interfaces. Herein, for the first time, poly[(9,9‐bis(3′‐((N,N ‐dimethyl)‐N ‐ethyl‐ammonium)‐propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)]di‐iodide (PFN‐I)is exploited in inverted planar perovskite solar cells. At the hole transport layer/perovskite interface, the PFN‐I is beneficial for solving the dewetting issue. At the perovskite/electron transport layer interface, the PFN‐I is advantageous for passivating defects.

Interface engineering is an effective means to enhance the performance of thin‐film devices, such as perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a conjugated polyelectrolyte, poly[(9,9‐bis(3′‐((N,N ‐dimethyl)‐N ‐ethyl‐ammonium)‐propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)]di‐iodide (PFN‐I), is used at the interfaces between the hole transport layer (HTL)/perovskite and perovskite/electron transport layer simultaneously, to enhance the device power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability. The fabricated PSCs with an inverted planar heterojunction structure show improved open‐circuit voltage (V _oc), short‐circuit current density (J _sc), and fill factor, resulting in PCEs up to 20.56%. The devices maintain over 80% of their initial PCEs after 800 h of exposure to a relative humidity 35–55% at room temperature. All of these improvements are attributed to the functional PFN‐I layers as they provide favorable interface contact and defect reduction.

Addition of the n‐type dopant benzyl viologen (BV) into several best‐in‐class organic bulk‐heterojunctions (BHJ) is shown to consistently improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the resulting solar cells. The presence of BV inside the BHJs increases the absorption coefficient, balances charge transport, and enhances the charge‐carrier density. These synergistic effects result in organic photovoltaics with a maximum PCE of 17.1%.

Abstract

Molecular doping is often used in organic semiconductors to tune their (opto)electronic properties. Despite its versatility, however, its application in organic photovoltaics (OPVs) remains limited and restricted to p‐type dopants. In an effort to control the charge transport within the bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) of OPVs, the n‐type dopant benzyl viologen (BV) is incorporated in a BHJ composed of the donor polymer PM6 and the small‐molecule acceptor IT‐4F. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the cells is found to increase from 13.2% to 14.4% upon addition of 0.004 wt% BV. Analysis of the photoactive materials and devices reveals that BV acts simultaneously as n‐type dopant and microstructure modifier for the BHJ. Under optimal BV concentrations, these synergistic effects result in balanced hole and electron mobilities, higher absorption coefficients and increased charge‐carrier density within the BHJ, while significantly extending the cells' shelf‐lifetime. The n‐type doping strategy is applied to five additional BHJ systems, for which similarly remarkable performance improvements are obtained. OPVs of particular interest are based on the ternary PM6:Y6:PC₇₁BM:BV(0.004 wt%) blend for which a maximum PCE of 17.1%, is obtained. The effectiveness of the n‐doping strategy highlights electron transport in NFA‐based OPVs as being a key issue.

Herein, calcium chloride is applied to passivate and dope inorganic CsPbI₂Br. It enhances the crystallinity of CsPbI₂Br to decrease trap density and prolong carrier lifetime and to raise its Fermi level to lie very close to the conduction band, leading to a high voltage of 1.32 V, and a record efficiency of 16.79% for CsPbI₂Br cells.

Abstract

Cesium‐based inorganic perovskites, such as CsPbI₂Br, are promising candidates for photovoltaic applications owing to their exceptional optoelectronic properties and outstanding thermal stability. However, the power conversion efficiency of CsPbI₂Br perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is still lower than those of hybrid PSCs and inorganic CsPbI₃ PSCs. In this work, passivation and n‐type doping by adding CaCl₂ to CsPbI₂Br is demonstrated. The crystallinity of the CsPbI₂Br perovskite film is enhanced, and the trap density is suppressed after adding CaCl₂. In addition, the Fermi level of the CsPbI₂Br is changed by the added CaCl₂ to show heavy n‐type doping. As a result, the optimized CsPbI₂Br PSC shows a highest open circuit voltage of 1.32 V and a record efficiency of 16.79%. Meanwhile, high air stability is demonstrated for a CsPbI₂Br PSC with 90% of the initial efficiency remaining after more than 1000 h aging in air.

Superoxide formation in mesoporous carbon perovskite solar cells is dependent upon a combination of competitive factors including defect concentrations, charge carrier extraction, oxygen diffusion, and grain morphology. The addition of 5‐aminovaleric acid iodide to the methylammonium lead iodide perovskite allows the formation of smaller grains, thus hindering oxygen diffusion in the film, reducing superoxide formation.

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells have attracted a great deal of attention thanks to their high efficiency, ease of manufacturing, and potential low cost. However, the stability of these devices is considered their main drawback and needs to be addressed. Mesoporous carbon perovskite solar cells (m‐CPSC), consisting of three mesoporous layers (TiO₂/ZrO₂/C) infiltrated with CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPI) perovskite, have presented excellent lifetimes of more than 10 000 h when the additive NH₂(CH₂)₄CO₂HI (5‐ aminovaleric acid iodide; 5‐AVAI) is used to modify the perovskite structure. Yet, the role of 5‐AVAI in enhancing the stability has yet to be determined. Here, superoxide‐mediated degradation of MAPI m‐CPSC with and without the 5‐AVAI additive is studied using the fluorescence probe dihydroethidium for superoxide detection. In situ X‐ray diffractometry shows that aminovaleric acid methylammonium lead iodide (AVA‐MAPI) perovskite infiltrated in mesoporous layers presents higher stability in an ambient environment under illumination, evidenced by a slower decrease of the MAPI/PbI₂ peak ratio. Superoxide yield measurements demonstrate that AVA‐MAPI generates more superoxide than regular MAPI when deposited on glass but generates significantly less when infiltrated in mesoporous layers. It is believed that superoxide formation in m‐CPSC is dependent on a combination of competitive factors including oxygen diffusion, sample morphology, grain size, and defect concentration.

Stable perovskite thin films and solar cells are obtained by judicious incorporation of multifunctional tetrapropylammonium (TPA) cations in methylammonium iodide (MAPbI₃). Upon addition of TPA, a heterostructure is formed, which leads to the passivation of defects along with improved morphology. This study highlights a new strategy to enhance the stability of perovskite solar cells while maintaining high performance.

Abstract

Improving the performances of photovoltaic (PV) devices by suppressing nonradiative energy losses through surface defect passivation and enhancing the stability to the level of standard PV represents one critical challenge for perovskite solar cells. Here, reported are the advantages of introducing a tetrapropylammonium (TPA⁺) cation that combines two key functionalities, namely surface passivation of CH₃NH₃PbI₃ nanocrystals through strong ionic interaction with the surface and bulk passivation via formation of a type I heterostructure that acts as a recombination barrier. As a result, nonencapsulated perovskite devices with only 2 mol% of TPA⁺ achieve power conversion efficiencies over 18.5% with higher V _OC under air mass 1.5G conditions. The devices fabricated retain more than 85% of their initial performances for over 1500 h under ambient conditions (55% RH ± 5%). Furthermore, devices with TPA⁺ also exhibit excellent operational stability by retaining over 85% of the initial performance after 250 h at maximum power point under 1 sun illumination. The effect of incorporation of TPA⁺ on the structural and optoelectronic properties is studied by X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet photon–electron spectroscopy, time‐resolved photoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy imaging. Atomic‐level passivation upon addition of TPA⁺ is elucidated employing 2D solid‐state NMR spectroscopy.

Herein, how F, OH, and O mix terminations affect the work function of the Ti₃C₂/MAPbI₃ interface is studied, covering the whole phase‐space of mixtures and highlighting the mechanism of strong nonlinear behaviors. Using first‐principles calculations, the degree and origin of the work function non‐linearity is described and sized.

Abstract

MXenes are a recent family of 2D materials with very interesting electronic properties for device applications. One very appealing feature is the wide range of work functions shown by these materials, depending on their composition and surface terminations, that can be exploited to adjust band alignments between different material layers. In this work, based on density functional theory calculations, how mixed terminations of F, OH, and/or O affect the work function of Ti₃C₂ MXene is analyzed in detail, covering the whole phase‐space of mixtures. The Ti₃C₂/CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPbI₃) perovskite coupled system for solar cell applications is also analyzed. A strong nonlinear behavior is found when varying the relative concentrations of OH, O, and F terminations, with the strongest effect of the OH groups in lowering the work function, already at a relative amount of 25%. A surprising minimum work function is found for relative OH:O fraction of 75:25, explained in terms of the nonlinear electronic response in screening the surface dipoles.

Stable perovskite thin films and solar cells are obtained by judicious incorporation of multifunctional tetrapropylammonium (TPA) cations in methylammonium iodide (MAPbI₃). Upon addition of TPA, a heterostructure is formed, which leads to the passivation of defects along with improved morphology. This study highlights a new strategy to enhance the stability of perovskite solar cells while maintaining high performance.

Abstract

Improving the performances of photovoltaic (PV) devices by suppressing nonradiative energy losses through surface defect passivation and enhancing the stability to the level of standard PV represents one critical challenge for perovskite solar cells. Here, reported are the advantages of introducing a tetrapropylammonium (TPA⁺) cation that combines two key functionalities, namely surface passivation of CH₃NH₃PbI₃ nanocrystals through strong ionic interaction with the surface and bulk passivation via formation of a type I heterostructure that acts as a recombination barrier. As a result, nonencapsulated perovskite devices with only 2 mol% of TPA⁺ achieve power conversion efficiencies over 18.5% with higher V _OC under air mass 1.5G conditions. The devices fabricated retain more than 85% of their initial performances for over 1500 h under ambient conditions (55% RH ± 5%). Furthermore, devices with TPA⁺ also exhibit excellent operational stability by retaining over 85% of the initial performance after 250 h at maximum power point under 1 sun illumination. The effect of incorporation of TPA⁺ on the structural and optoelectronic properties is studied by X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet photon–electron spectroscopy, time‐resolved photoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy imaging. Atomic‐level passivation upon addition of TPA⁺ is elucidated employing 2D solid‐state NMR spectroscopy.

3,4‐Dicyanothiophene is a versatile and promising building block for constructing high‐performance, low‐cost, conjugated polymers for application in polymer solar cells. This unit possesses structural simplicity and synthetic accessibility, and endows the resulting polymers with appropriate aggregation properties and crystallinity, large dipole moment, deep‐lying energy levels, optimal bulk‐heterojunction morphology, and low energy loss and high efficiency in solar cells.

Abstract

In this contribution, a versatile building block, 3,4‐dicyanothiophene (DCT), which possesses structural simplicity and synthetic accessibility for constructing high‐performance, low‐cost, wide‐bandgap conjugated polymers for use as donors in polymer solar cells (PSCs), is reported. A prototype polymer, PB3TCN‐C66, and its cyano‐free analogue polymer PB3T‐C66, are synthesized to evaluate the potential of using DCT in nonfullerene PSCs. A stronger aggregation property in solution, higher thermal transition temperatures with higher enthalpies, a larger dipole moment, higher relative dielectric constant, and more linear conformation are exhibited by PB3TCN‐C66. Solar cells employing IT‐4F as the electron acceptor offer power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 11.2% and 2.3% for PB3TCN‐C66 and PB3T‐C66, respectively. Morphological characterizations reveal that the PB3TCN‐C66:IT‐4F blend exhibits better π–π paracrystallinity, a contracted domain size, and higher phase purity, consistent with its higher molecular interaction parameter, derived from thermodynamic calculations. Moreover, PB3TCN‐C66 offers a higher open‐circuit voltage and reduced energy loss than most state‐of‐the‐art wide‐bandgap polymers, without the need of additional electron‐withdrawing substituents. Two additional polymers derived from DCT also demonstrate promising performance with a higher PCE of 13.4% being achieved. Thus, DCT represents a versatile and promising building block for constructing high‐performance, low‐cost, conjugated polymers for application in PSCs.

3,4‐Dicyanothiophene is a versatile and promising building block for constructing high‐performance, low‐cost, conjugated polymers for application in polymer solar cells. This unit possesses structural simplicity and synthetic accessibility, and endows the resulting polymers with appropriate aggregation properties and crystallinity, large dipole moment, deep‐lying energy levels, optimal bulk‐heterojunction morphology, and low energy loss and high efficiency in solar cells.

Abstract

In this contribution, a versatile building block, 3,4‐dicyanothiophene (DCT), which possesses structural simplicity and synthetic accessibility for constructing high‐performance, low‐cost, wide‐bandgap conjugated polymers for use as donors in polymer solar cells (PSCs), is reported. A prototype polymer, PB3TCN‐C66, and its cyano‐free analogue polymer PB3T‐C66, are synthesized to evaluate the potential of using DCT in nonfullerene PSCs. A stronger aggregation property in solution, higher thermal transition temperatures with higher enthalpies, a larger dipole moment, higher relative dielectric constant, and more linear conformation are exhibited by PB3TCN‐C66. Solar cells employing IT‐4F as the electron acceptor offer power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 11.2% and 2.3% for PB3TCN‐C66 and PB3T‐C66, respectively. Morphological characterizations reveal that the PB3TCN‐C66:IT‐4F blend exhibits better π–π paracrystallinity, a contracted domain size, and higher phase purity, consistent with its higher molecular interaction parameter, derived from thermodynamic calculations. Moreover, PB3TCN‐C66 offers a higher open‐circuit voltage and reduced energy loss than most state‐of‐the‐art wide‐bandgap polymers, without the need of additional electron‐withdrawing substituents. Two additional polymers derived from DCT also demonstrate promising performance with a higher PCE of 13.4% being achieved. Thus, DCT represents a versatile and promising building block for constructing high‐performance, low‐cost, conjugated polymers for application in PSCs.

This work aims to report a critical overview of recent progress in exciton physics of metal‐halide perovskites. These semiconductors are the subject of very intense study thanks to the unprecedented success in energy harvesting and light emitting applications. Interestingly the development of perovskite based devices has significantly outpaced understanding of their fundamental properties. One of the biggest puzzles of perovskites is related to exciton binding energy and its fine structure which are crucial for optoelectronic applications.

Abstract

The unprecedented increase of the power conversion efficiency of metal‐halide perovskite solar cells has significantly outpaced the understanding of their fundamental properties. One of the biggest puzzles of perovskites has been the exciton binding energy, which has proved to be difficult to determine experimentally. Many contradictory reports can be found in the literature with values of the exciton binding energy from a few meV to a few tens of meV. In this review the results of the last few years of intense investigation of the exciton physic in perovskite materials are summarized. In particular a critical overview of the different experimental approaches used to determine exciton binding energy is provided. The problem of exciton binding energy in the context of the polar nature of perovskite crystals and related polaron effects which have been neglected to date in most of work is discussed. It is shown that polaron effects can reconcile at least some of the experimental observations and controversy present in the literature. Finally, the current status of the exciton fine structure in perovskite materials is summarized. The peculiar carrier–phonon coupling can help to understand the intriguing efficiency of light emission from metal‐halide perovskites.

By adopting in situ photoluminescence measurement, it is found that the introduction of a small amount of formamidinium ions (FA⁺) into methylammonium (MA⁺)‐based mixed‐halide wide‐bandgap perovskites can effectively facilitate I⁻ coordinate into the perovskite framework during the spin‐coating. This method guarantees a MA_0.9FA_0.1Pb(I_0.6Br_0.4)₃‐based perovskite solar cell with a promising power conversion efficiency of 17.1%.

Abstract

Mixed‐halide wide‐bandgap perovskites are key components for the development of high‐efficiency tandem structured devices. However, mixed‐halide perovskites usually suffer from phase‐impurity and high defect density issues, where the causes are still unclear. By using in situ photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, it is found that in methylammonium (MA⁺)‐based mixed‐halide perovskites, MAPb(I_0.6Br_0.4)₃, the halide composition of the spin‐coated perovskite films is preferentially dominated by the bromide ions (Br⁻). Additional thermal energy is required to initiate the insertion of iodide ions (I⁻) to achieve the stoichiometric balance. Notably, by incorporating a small amount of formamidinium ions (FA⁺) in the precursor solution, it can effectively facilitate the I⁻ coordination in the perovskite framework during the spin‐coating and improve the composition homogeneity of the initial small particles. The aggregation of these homogenous small particles is found to be essential to achieve uniform and high‐crystallinity perovskite film with high Br⁻ content. As a result, high‐quality MA_0.9FA_0.1Pb(I_0.6Br_0.4)₃ perovskite film with a bandgap (E _g) of 1.81 eV is achieved, along with an encouraging power‐conversion‐efficiency of 17.1% and open‐circuit voltage (V _oc) of 1.21 V. This work also demonstrates the in situ PL can provide a direct observation of the dynamic of ion coordination during the perovskite crystallization.

A universal and stable photovoltaic cell based on Cs_0.05MA_0.95PbBr _x I_{3− x} perovskite and Nb:TiO₂ electron transport layer is reported to harvest artificial light by a synergetic manipulating strategy. Morphology, composition, and energy band engineering produce a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 36.3%. Diverse practical applications are successfully demonstrated by the online driving of a sodium‐ion battery and electronic devices.

Abstract

As the fastest developing photovoltaic device, perovskite solar cells have achieved an extraordinary power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.3% under AM 1.5 illumination. However, few studies have been devoted to perovskite solar cells harvesting artificial light, owing to the great challenge in the simultaneous manipulation of bandgap‐adjustable perovskite materials, corresponding matched energy band structure of carrier transport materials, and interfacial defects. Herein, through systematic morphology, composition, and energy band engineering, high‐quality Cs_0.05MA_0.95PbBr _x I_{3− x} perovskite as the light absorber and Nb _y Ti_{1− y} O₂ (Nb:TiO₂) as the electron transport material with an ideal energy band alignment are obtained simultaneously. The theoretical‐limit‐approaching record PCEs of 36.3% (average: 34.0 ± 1.2%) under light‐emitting diode (LED, warm white) and 33.2% under fluorescent lamp (cold white) are achieved simultaneously, as well as a PCE of 19.5% (average: 18.9 ± 0.3%) under solar illumination. An integrated energy conversion and storage system based on an artificial light response solar cell and sodium‐ion battery is established for diverse practical applications, including a portable calculator, quartz clock, and even environmental monitoring equipment. Over a week of stable operation shows its great practical potential and provides a new avenue to promote the commercialization of perovskite photovoltaic devices via integration with ingenious electronic devices.

Stable and efficient mixed tin–lead (Sn–Pb) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are demonstrated by defect passivation with ultrathin layered perovskites. The passivation layer provides defect passivation both at film surface and grain boundaries, without blocking the carrier transport. The devices exhibit a certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.95%, and a 200 h diurnal operating stability.

Abstract

The development of narrow‐bandgap (E _g ≈ 1.2 eV) mixed tin–lead (Sn–Pb) halide perovskites enables all‐perovskite tandem solar cells. Whereas pure‐lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have advanced simultaneously in efficiency and stability, achieving this crucial combination remains a challenge in Sn–Pb PSCs. Here, Sn–Pb perovskite grains are anchored with ultrathin layered perovskites to overcome the efficiency‐stability tradeoff. Defect passivation is achieved both on the perovskite film surface and at grain boundaries, an approach implemented by directly introducing phenethylammonium ligands in the antisolvent. This improves device operational stability and also avoids the excess formation of layered perovskites that would otherwise hinder charge transport. Sn–Pb PSCs with fill factors of 79% and a certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.95% are reported—among the highest for Sn–Pb PSCs. Using this approach, a 200‐fold enhancement in device operating lifetime is achieved relative to the nonpassivated Sn–Pb PSCs under full AM1.5G illumination, and a 200 h diurnal operating time without efficiency drop is achieved under filtered AM1.5G illumination.

A steric engineering strategy to impede ion migration in perovskite thin films is demonstrated where ion migration is effectively hindered by localized lattice distortions induced by incorporation of oversized A site cations. The steric engineering approach improves the operational lifetime of perovskite solar cells by more than nine‐fold from 222 h to 2011 h.

Abstract

The operational instability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is known to mainly originate from the migration of ionic species (or charged defects) under a potential gradient. Compositional engineering of the “A” site cation of the ABX₃ perovskite structure has been shown to be an effective route to improve the stability of PSCs. Here, the effect of size‐mismatch‐induced lattice distortions on the ion migration energetics and operational stability of PSCs is investigated. It is observed that the size mismatch of the mixed “A” site composition films and devices leads to a steric effect to impede the migration pathways of ions to increase the activation energy of ion migration, which is demonstrated through multiple theoretical and experimental evidence. Consequently, the mixed composition devices exhibit significantly improved thermal stability under continuous heating at 85 °C and operational stability under continuous 1 sun illumination, with an extrapolated lifetime of 2011 h, compared to the 222 h of the reference device.

A highly efficient organic solar cell is demonstrated by applying a chlorine‐functionalized graphdiyne (GCl) multifunctional solid additive. A record‐high efficiency of 17.3%, with certified efficiency of 17.1%, is obtained along with the simultaneous increase of short‐circuit current (J _sc) and fill factor (FF), displaying state‐of‐the‐art binary organic solar cells at present.

Abstract

Morphology tuning of the blend film in organic solar cells (OSCs) is a key approach to improve device efficiencies. Among various strategies, solid additive is proposed as a simple and new way to enable morphology tuning. However, there exist few solid additives reported to meet such expectations. Herein, chlorine‐functionalized graphdiyne (GCl) is successfully applied as a multifunctional solid additive to fine‐tune the morphology and improve device efficiency as well as reproductivity for the first time. Compared with 15.6% efficiency for control devices, a record high efficiency of 17.3% with the certified one of 17.1% is obtained along with the simultaneous increase of short‐circuit current (J _sc) and fill factor (FF), displaying the state‐of‐the‐art binary organic solar cells at present. The redshift of the film absorption, enhanced crystallinity, prominent phase separation, improved mobility, and decreased charge recombination synergistically account for the increase of J _sc and FF after introducing GCl into the blend film. Moreover, the addition of GCl dramatically reduces batch‐to‐batch variations benefiting mass production owing to the nonvolatile property of GCl. All these results confirm the efficacy of GCl to enhance device performance, demonstrating a promising application of GCl as a multifunctional solid additive in the field of OSCs.

A simple low‐temperature‐processed In₂O₃/SnO₂ bilayer electron‐transport layer (ETL) is used for fabricating efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The bilayer ETL with appropriate energy alignment is beneficial for charge transfer, thus minimizing open‐circuit voltage (V _OC) loss. An optimized planar PSC with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.24% is obtained. In contrast, devices based on single SnO₂ only achieve efficiency of 21.42%.

Abstract

An electron‐transport layer (ETL) with appropriate energy alignment and enhanced charge transfer is critical for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, interfacial energy level mismatch limits the electrical performance of PSCs, particularly the open‐circuit voltage (V _OC). Herein, a simple low‐temperature‐processed In₂O₃/SnO₂ bilayer ETL is developed and used for fabricating a new PSC device. The presence of In₂O₃ results in uniform, compact, and low‐trap‐density perovskite films. Moreover, the conduction band of In₂O₃ is shallower than that of Sn‐doped In₂O₃ (ITO), enhancing the charge transfer from perovskite to ETL, thus minimizing V _OC loss at the perovskite and ETL interface. A planar PSC with a power conversion efficiency of 23.24% (certified efficiency of 22.54%) is obtained. A high V _OC of 1.17 V is achieved with the potential loss at only 0.36 V. In contrast, devices based on single SnO₂ layers achieve 21.42% efficiency with a V _OC of 1.13 V. In addition, the new device maintains 97.5% initial efficiency after 80 d in N₂ without encapsulation and retains 91% of its initial efficiency after 180 h under 1 sun continuous illumination. The results demonstrate and pave the way for the development of efficient photovoltaic devices.

Nature Communications, Published online: 12 February 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-14683-5