Chen Weijie

Polymethyl methacrylate is coated on a perovskite grain boundary, blocking moisture penetration. The distributed C60 clusters create a dipole‐like electric field inside the perovskite layer, which favors exciton dissociation, and improves the conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells.

Abstract

Lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated great potential for realizing low‐cost and easily fabricated photovoltaics. At this juncture, power conversion efficiency and long‐term stability are two important factors limiting their transition. PSCs exhibit rapid environmental degradation since the perovskite layer is very sensitive to factors such as humidity, temperature, and ultraviolet light. Here, a novel successful approach is demonstrated that simultaneously improves the efficiency and stability of PSCs. This approach relies on incorporation of a dual‐functional polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)–fullerene complex into the perovskite layer. The fullerene within perovskite layer forms a localized dipole‐like electric field that favors electron–hole separation, resulting in significant improvement in current density and fill factor with conversion efficiency reaching 18.4%. The molecular‐scale coating of hydrophobic PMMA on the perovskite grain boundary effectively blocks moisture penetration into the perovskite, thereby, significantly improving the stability against moisture, heat, and light. The PSCs with PMMA–fullerene complex showed no photovoltaic performance degradation for 250 d and exhibited 60 times higher stability compared to the state‐of‐the‐art devices under continuous 1 sun illumination in ambient air.

Employing an electron‐deficient‐core‐based fused structure instead of a fused donor unit represents a new strategy to adjust the optoelectronic properties of acceptor–donor–acceptor‐type n‐type organic semiconductors. The electron‐deficient‐core based on benzothiadiazole together with dicyanomethylene derivative realizes a low bandgap, high electron mobility, and suitable energy level simultaneously, affording universal and high performances when blending with different donor polymers.

Abstract

Narrow bandgap n‐type organic semiconductors (n‐OS) have attracted great attention in recent years as acceptors in organic solar cells (OSCs), due to their easily tuned absorption and electronic energy levels in comparison with fullerene acceptors. Herein, a new n‐OS acceptor, Y5, with an electron‐deficient‐core‐based fused structure is designed and synthesized, which exhibits a strong absorption in the 600–900 nm region with an extinction coefficient of 1.24 × 10⁵ cm⁻¹, and an electron mobility of 2.11 × 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹. By blending Y5 with three types of common medium‐bandgap polymers (J61, PBDB‐T, and TTFQx‐T1) as donors, all devices exhibit high short‐circuit current densities over 20 mA cm⁻². As a result, the power conversion efficiency of the Y5‐based OSCs with J61, TTFQx‐T1, and PBDB‐T reaches 11.0%, 13.1%, and 14.1%, respectively. This indicates that Y5 is a universal and highly efficient n‐OS acceptor for applications in organic solar cells.

An effective but simple approach to rationally tune the crystallinity and miscibility of small‐molecular acceptors is reported. With a phenyl introduced at the tail of alkyl side chains, the morphology and molecular orientations of heterojunction are greatly improved. Outstanding efficiencies of 13.23% and 14.04% are detected from the as‐cast and annealed devices, promoted by the fairly high fill factors.

Abstract

Research on fused‐ring small‐molecular‐acceptors (SMAs) has deeply advanced the development of organic solar cells (OSCs). Compared to fruitful studies of ladder‐type cores and end‐caps of SMAs, the exploration of side chains is monotonous. The widely utilized alkyl and aryl side chains usually produce a conflicting association between SMAs' crystallinity and miscibility. Herein, a fresh idea about the modification of side chains is reported to explore the subtle balance between the crystallinity and miscibility. Specifically, a phenyl is introduced to the tail of the alkyl side chain whereby a new acceptor IDIC‐C4Ph is reported. Moderately weakened crystallinity is observed, while maintaining preferred absorption profiles and face‐on orientations. Concurrently, remarkably improved heterojunction morphologies and stacking orientations are detected. PBDB‐T:IDIC‐C4Ph devices exhibit greater efficiency of 11.50% than devices from alky and aryl modified acceptors. Notably, the as‐cast OSCs of PBDB‐TF:IDIC‐C4Ph reveal outstanding FF over 76% with the best efficiency up to 13.23%. The annealed devices reveal further increased efficiency exceeding 14% with the state of the art FF of 78.32%. Overall, an effective but easily navigable approach is demonstrated to modulate the crystallinity of SMAs toward synergistically improved morphologies and molecular orientations of bulk heterojunction enabling highly efficient OSCs.

Nonfullerene‐based small‐molecule organic solar cells with a new record efficiency of 12.08% are achieved by first incorporation of near‐infrared absorbing molecules and by tuning the sequentially evolved crystalline morphology. The improved crystallinity of both donor and acceptor materials facilitates the formation of multilength scale morphologies, which further enhance charge mobility and extraction, and reduce the nongeminate recombination.

Abstract

In this paper, two near‐infrared absorbing molecules are successfully incorporated into nonfullerene‐based small‐molecule organic solar cells (NFSM‐OSCs) to achieve a very high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.08%. This is achieved by tuning the sequentially evolved crystalline morphology through combined solvent additive and solvent vapor annealing, which mainly work on ZnP‐TBO and 6TIC, respectively. It not only helps improve the crystallinity of the ZnP‐TBO and 6TIC blend, but also forms multilength scale morphology to enhance charge mobility and charge extraction. Moreover, it simultaneously reduces the nongeminate recombination by effective charge delocalization. The resultant device performance shows remarkably enhanced fill factor and J _sc. These result in a very respectable PCE, which is the highest among all NFSM‐OSCs and all small‐molecule binary solar cells reported so far.

2D organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) may resolve the stability problem of bulk OIHPs. Two processes are identified to play a critical role: First, the 2D structure supports additional distortions that enhance the intrinsic structural stability. Second, the surface terminations of 2D OIHPs suppress degradation effects due to humidity. Building on this, 2D OIHPs are designed with optimal stability and favorable electronic properties.

Abstract

2D organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) may resolve the stability problem of bulk OIHPs. First‐principles calculations are employed to investigate the mechanism behind their favorable material properties. Two processes are identified to play a critical role: First, the 2D structure supports additional distortions that enhance the intrinsic structural stability. Second, the surface terminations of 2D OIHPs suppress degradation effects due to humidity. Having uncovered the stabilization mechanism, 2D OIHPs are designed with optimal stability and favorable electronic properties.

A new methodology is presented for preparing a dopant‐free Spiro‐OMeTAD film by dynamic spin‐coating the pristine Spiro‐OMeTAD solution from a halogen‐free green solvent THF, which yields a record efficiency of 17% as along with negligible hysteresis in planar PSCs. Importantly, the strategy brings the field a step closer toward cost‐effective and environmental friendly production of PSCs with enhanced longevity.

In this paper, highly efficient (17%) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on a hole‐transporting layer (HTL) made of dopant‐free Spiro‐OMeTAD processed from a non‐halogenated solvent (THF) are reported for the first time. In addition to the high efficiency, a negligible hysteresis effect is observed for the devices with dopant‐free Spiro‐OMeTAD hole‐transporting material (HTM), which is often a problem for planar n‐i‐p type PSCs. By eliminating the hydroscopic dopants, the ambient stability of the completed PSC devices are much improved. Another advantage of using THF as a solvent is that much less of the Spiro‐OMeTAD material is required (5 mg ml⁻¹) to coat the HTL compared to that used in a conventional chlorobenzene solvent (70 mg ml⁻¹). Our result provides a simple yet effective method to fabricate dopant‐free PSCs toward cost‐effective and environmental friendly production of PSCs with enhanced stability.

A low temperature–processed metal oxide with excellent mechanical properties and thickness‐insensitivity is exploited as an electron transporting layer for high‐efficiency robust flexible polymer solar cells (PSCs). A record efficiency of 11.5% is achieved for the flexible PSCs, and over 91% of initial efficiency is well maintained after 1500 bending cycles.

Abstract

Landmark power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 14% has been accomplished for single‐junction polymer solar cells (PSCs). However, the inevitable fracture of inorganic transporting layers and deficient interlayer adhesion are critical challenges to achieving the goal of flexible PSCs. Here, a bendable and thickness‐insensitive Al‐doped ZnO (AZO) modified by polydopamine (PDA) has emerged as a promising electron transporting layer (ETL) in PSCs. It has special ductility and adhesion to the active layer for improving the mechanical durability of the device. Nonfullerenes PSCs based on PBDB‐T‐2F:IT‐4F with AZO:1.5% PDA (80 nm) ETL yield the best PCE of 12.7%. More importantly, a prominent PCE, approaching 11.5%, is reached for the fully flexible device based on Ag‐mesh flexible electrode, and the device retains >91% of its initial PCE after bending for 1500 cycles. Such thickness insensitivity, mechanical durability, and interfacial adhesion properties for the inorganic ETLs are desired for the development of flexible and wearable PSCs with reliable photovoltaic performance and large‐area roll‐to‐roll printing manufacture.

The effectiveness of using perovskite/Zr‐metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) heterojunctions in realizing efficient and stable inverted p–i–n perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) is demonstrated. Using a perovskite/Zr‐MOF hybrid heterojunction to fabricate PVSCs is demonstrated to possess improved performance and ambient stability, benefitting from the grain‐locking effects introduced by the hybrid MOFs. It even reveals better merits than the perovskite/MOF bilayer heterojunction.

Abstract

In this study, the effectiveness of using a perovskite/Zr‐metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) heterojunction in realizing efficient and stable inverted p–i–n perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) is demonstrated. Two types of Zr‐MOFs, UiO‐66 and MOF‐808, are investigated owing to their respectable moisture and chemical stabilities. The MOFs while serving as an interlayer in conjunction with the perovskite film are shown to possess the advantages of UV‐filtering capability and enhancing perovskite crystallinity. Consequently, the UiO‐66/MOF‐808‐modified PVSCs yield enhanced power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 17.01% and 16.55%, outperforming the control device (15.79%). While further utilizing a perovskite/Zr‐MOF hybrid heterojunction to fabricate the devices, the hybrid MOFs are found to possibly distribute over the perovskite grain boundary providing a grain‐locking effect to simultaneously passivate the defects and to reinforce the film's robustness against moisture invasion. As a result, the PCEs of the UiO‐66/MOF‐808‐hybrid PVSCs are further enhanced to 18.01% and 17.81%, respectively. Besides, over 70% of the initial PCE is retained after being stored in air (25 °C and relative humidity of 60 ± 5%) for over 2 weeks, in contrast to the quick degradation observed for the control device. This study demonstrates the promising potential of using perovskite/MOF heterojunctions to fabricate efficient and stable PVSCs.

A low‐temperature solution‐processed TFB is demonstrated as an ideal hole‐transporting layer to push the PCE of the inverted perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) up to 20.2%. Moreover, this TFB‐based inverted PVSC exhibits good stability, retaining 90% of its original efficiency after storage for 30 days in ambient air.

Abstract

Low‐temperature‐processed inverted perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) attract increasing attention because they can be fabricated on both rigid and flexible substrates. For these devices, hole‐transporting layers (HTLs) play an important role in achieving efficient and stable inverted PVSCs by adjusting the anodic work function, hole extraction, and interfacial charge recombination. Here, the use of a low‐temperature (≤150 °C) solution‐processed ultrathin film of poly[(9,9‐dioctyl‐fluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl)‐co‐(4,4′‐(N‐(4‐secbutylphenyl) diphenylamine)] (TFB) is reported as an HTL in one‐step‐processed CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPbI₃)‐based inverted PVSCs. The fabricated device exhibits power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 20.2% when measured under AM 1.5 G illumination. This PCE makes them one of the MAPbI₃‐based inverted PVSCs that have the highest efficiency reported to date. Moreover, this inverted PVSC also shows good stability, which can retain 90% of its original efficiency after 30 days of storage in ambient air.

Polymethyl methacrylate is coated on a perovskite grain boundary, blocking moisture penetration. The distributed C60 clusters create a dipole‐like electric field inside the perovskite layer, which favors exciton dissociation, and improves the conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells.

Abstract

Lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated great potential for realizing low‐cost and easily fabricated photovoltaics. At this juncture, power conversion efficiency and long‐term stability are two important factors limiting their transition. PSCs exhibit rapid environmental degradation since the perovskite layer is very sensitive to factors such as humidity, temperature, and ultraviolet light. Here, a novel successful approach is demonstrated that simultaneously improves the efficiency and stability of PSCs. This approach relies on incorporation of a dual‐functional polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)–fullerene complex into the perovskite layer. The fullerene within perovskite layer forms a localized dipole‐like electric field that favors electron–hole separation, resulting in significant improvement in current density and fill factor with conversion efficiency reaching 18.4%. The molecular‐scale coating of hydrophobic PMMA on the perovskite grain boundary effectively blocks moisture penetration into the perovskite, thereby, significantly improving the stability against moisture, heat, and light. The PSCs with PMMA–fullerene complex showed no photovoltaic performance degradation for 250 d and exhibited 60 times higher stability compared to the state‐of‐the‐art devices under continuous 1 sun illumination in ambient air.

A new asymmetric, terminally tetrafluorinated nonfullerene acceptor, namely ITIF, was prepared for ternary solar cells based on PBDB‐T:ITIF:ITIC blends. Owing to the unique structure, ITIF is promised to work efficiently in ternary blends, simultaneously boosting the devices performance parameters. Therefore, the power conversion efficiencies of the ternary solar cells are boosted from 9.2% to 10.5%.

Abstract

Fabricating ternary solar cells is a pivotal strategy to improve the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic photovoltaic devices. However, it is still a challenge to simultaneously improve the performance parameters of ternary devices. Therefore, the third ingredient in ternary blends should be precisely designed or selected. Herein, a new medium‐bandgap small‐molecule acceptor, namely, 3,9‐bis(2‐methylene‐(3‐(1‐(3,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐1cyanomethylene)indanone))‐5,5,11,11‐tetrakis‐(4‐hexylphenyl)dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]‐sindaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene (ITIF), is synthesized by end‐capping with a new fluorinated, asymmetric terminal group, (Z)‐2‐(3,5‐difluorophenyl)‐2‐(3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐1‐ylidene) acetonitrile. Replacing the CN substituent with the asymmetric 3,5‐difluorophenyl substituent obviously up‐shifts the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level of ITIF to −3.78 eV, enlarges the bandgap to 1.82 eV, and improves the absorption coefficient to ≈50% higher than that of 3,9‐bis(2‐methylene‐(3‐(1,1‐dicyanomethylene)indanone))‐5,5,11,11‐tetrakis‐(4‐hexylphenyl)dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]‐sindaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene (ITIC). Due to the similar structures, ITIF and ITIC can combine as an alloyed acceptor, which makes it convenient to tune the morphology and optical and electrochemical properties of ternary blends. The enhanced absorption coefficient of ITIF and the rapid fluorescence resonance energy transfer from ITIF to ITIC remarkably improve the absorption of the ternary blend film, hence compensating for the external quantum efficiency (EQE) curves. When ITIF is introduced into ternary solar cells based on poly[(2,6‐(4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene))‐alt‐(5,5‐(1′,3′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐5′,7′‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)benzo[1′,2′‐c:4′,5′‐c′]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione)] (PBDB‐T):ITIF:ITIC blends, the PCEs of the ternary devices are increased from 9.2% to 10.5%, and the short‐circuit currents, open‐circuit voltages, and fill factors are simultaneously improved.

2D Dion–Jacobson perovskites have better carrier charge transport because of the closer interlayer distance. Solar cells based on Dion–Jacobson perovskites having mixed organic cations and using solvent‐engineering methods and hydriodic acid additive achieve higher efficiencies with high fill factors. Most importantly, the Dion–Jacobson perovskite solar cells exhibit better environmental stability compared with butylammonium‐based perovskites and 3D analogs.

Abstract

Hybrid halide 2D perovskites deserve special attention because they exhibit superior environmental stability compared with their 3D analogs. The closer interlayer distance discovered in 2D Dion–Jacobson (DJ) type of halide perovskites relative to 2D Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) perovskites implies better carrier charge transport and superior performance in solar cells. Here, the structure and properties of 2D DJ perovskites employing 3‐(aminomethyl)piperidinium (3AMP²⁺) as the spacing cation and a mixture of methylammonium (MA⁺) and formamidinium (FA⁺) cations in the perovskite cages are presented. Using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, it is found that the mixed‐cation (3AMP)(MA_0.75FA_0.25)₃Pb₄I₁₃ perovskite has a narrower bandgap, less distorted inorganic framework, and larger PbIPb angles than the single‐cation (3AMP)(MA)₃Pb₄I₁₃. Furthermore, the (3AMP)(MA_0.75FA_0.25)₃Pb₄I₁₃ films made by a solvent‐engineering method with a small amount of hydriodic acid have a much better film morphology and crystalline quality and more preferred perpendicular orientation. As a result, the (3AMP)(MA_0.75FA_0.25)₃Pb₄I₁₃‐based solar cells exhibit a champion power conversion efficiency of 12.04% with a high fill factor of 81.04% and a 50% average efficiency improvement compared to the pristine (3AMP)(MA)₃Pb₄I₁₃ cells. Most importantly, the 2D DJ 3AMP‐based perovskite films and devices show better air and light stability than the 2D RP butylammonium‐based perovskites and their 3D analogs.

The ITC‐2Cl‐based device yields an excellent power conversion efficiency of 13.6% with a low E _loss of 0.67 eV, which is superior to those of the devices based on ITCPTC, IT‐4F, and IT‐4Cl.

Abstract

Generally, highly efficient organic solar cells require both a high open‐circuit voltage (V _OC) and a high short‐circuit current density (J _SC). Reducing the energy loss (E _loss) is an effective way to achieve a high V _OC without compromising the photocurrent, which is ideal for enhancing the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). Herein, a new chlorinated nonfullerene acceptor (ITC‐2Cl) with chlorinated thiophene‐fused end groups is developed. In comparison with the unchlorinated counterpart (ITCPTC), the introduction of Cl improves not only the electronic properties by redshifting the absorption spectra and deepening the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels, but also the molecular packing and thus thin‐film morphology. The PM6:ITC‐2Cl‐based device yields a significantly higher PCE (13.6%) with a lower E _loss (0.67 eV) than the ITCPTC‐based device (PCE of 12.3% with E _loss of 0.70 eV). More importantly, compared to the archetypal nonfullerene acceptors such as IT‐4F (PCE of 12.9% with E _loss of 0.73 eV) and IT‐4Cl (PCE of 12.7% with E _loss of 0.76 eV), the ITC‐2Cl‐based device shows a higher PCE and a lower E _loss. These results demonstrate that the chlorinated thiophene‐fused end group is a promising candidate for a high‐performance nonfullerene acceptors with low energy loss.

A novel wide‐bandgap nonfullerene acceptor TfIF‐4FIC is synthesized. PBDB‐T‐2F:TfIF‐4FIC‐based organic solar cell acquires a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.1%, a high open‐circuit voltage of 0.98 V, which is the best performed device with bandgap larger than 1.60 eV. When using PBDB‐T‐2F:TfIF‐4FIC as front cell and PTB7‐Th:PCDTBT:IEICO‐4F as back cell to construct tandem device, PCE of 15% is achieved.

Abstract

A tandem organic solar cell (OSC) is a valid structure to widen the photon response range and suppress the transmission loss and thermalization loss. In the past few years, the development of low‐bandgap materials with broad absorption in long‐wavelength region for back subcells has attracted considerable attention. However, wide‐bandgap materials for front cells that have both high short‐circuit current density (J _SC) and open‐circuit voltage (V _OC) are scarce. In this work, a new fluorine‐substituted wide‐bandgap small molecule nonfullerene acceptor TfIF‐4FIC is reported, which has an optical bandgap of 1.61 eV. When PBDB‐T‐2F is selected as the donor, the device offers an extremely high V _OC of 0.98 V, a high J _SC of 17.6 mA cm⁻², and a power conversion efficiency of 13.1%. This is the best performing acceptor with such a wide bandgap. More importantly, the energy loss in this combination is 0.63 eV. These properties ensure that PBDB‐T‐2F:TfIF‐4FIC is an ideal candidate for the fabrication of tandem OSCs. When PBDB‐T‐2F:TfIF‐4FIC and PTB7‐Th:PCDTBT:IEICO‐4F are used as the front cell and the back cell to construct tandem solar cells, a PCE of 15% is obtained, which is one of best results reported to date in the field of organic solar cells.

Fluorinated perylenediimide (F‐PDI) is first introduced to optimize photovoltaic performance and stability of perovskite solar cells. Conductive F‐PDI effectively passivates defects and promotes charge transfer. The hydrophobicity of F‐PDI preventing moisture penetration as well as the strong hydrogen bonding immobilizing methylamine ions, thereby, endow excellent moisture and thermal stability with nearly 70% efficiency retention after thermal treatment at 100 °C.

Abstract

The notoriously poor stability of perovskite solar cells is a crucial issue restricting commercial applications. Here, a fluorinated perylenediimide (F‐PDI) is first introduced into perovskite film to enhance the device's photovoltaic performance, as well as thermal and moisture stability simultaneously. The conductive F‐PDI molecules filling at grain boundaries (GBs) and surface of perovskite film can passivate defects and promote charge transport through GBs due to the chelation between carbonyl of F‐PDI and noncoordinating lead. Furthermore, an effective multiple hydrophobic structure is formed to protect perovskite film from moisture erosion. As a result, the F‐PDI‐incorporated devices based on MAPbI₃ and Cs_0.05 (FA_0.83MA_0.17)_0.95 Pb (Br_0.17I_0.83)₃ absorber achieve champion efficiencies of 18.28% and 19.26%, respectively. Over 80% of the initial efficiency is maintained after exposure in air for 30 days with a relative humidity (RH) of 50%. In addition, the strong hydrogen bonding of F···H‐N can immobilize methylamine ion (MA⁺) and thus enhances the thermal stability of device, remaining nearly 70% of the initial value after thermal treatment (100 °C) for 24 h at 50% RH condition.

Employing an electron‐deficient‐core‐based fused structure instead of a fused donor unit represents a new strategy to adjust the optoelectronic properties of acceptor–donor–acceptor‐type n‐type organic semiconductors. The electron‐deficient‐core based on benzothiadiazole together with dicyanomethylene derivative realizes a low bandgap, high electron mobility, and suitable energy level simultaneously, affording universal and high performances when blending with different donor polymers.

Abstract

Narrow bandgap n‐type organic semiconductors (n‐OS) have attracted great attention in recent years as acceptors in organic solar cells (OSCs), due to their easily tuned absorption and electronic energy levels in comparison with fullerene acceptors. Herein, a new n‐OS acceptor, Y5, with an electron‐deficient‐core‐based fused structure is designed and synthesized, which exhibits a strong absorption in the 600–900 nm region with an extinction coefficient of 1.24 × 10⁵ cm⁻¹, and an electron mobility of 2.11 × 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹. By blending Y5 with three types of common medium‐bandgap polymers (J61, PBDB‐T, and TTFQx‐T1) as donors, all devices exhibit high short‐circuit current densities over 20 mA cm⁻². As a result, the power conversion efficiency of the Y5‐based OSCs with J61, TTFQx‐T1, and PBDB‐T reaches 11.0%, 13.1%, and 14.1%, respectively. This indicates that Y5 is a universal and highly efficient n‐OS acceptor for applications in organic solar cells.

High‐quality, pinhole‐free CH₃NH₃SnI₃ films are achieved from pristine NH₂NH₃SnI₃ perovskite, and the oxidation of Sn²⁺ to Sn⁴⁺ can be efficiently suppressed owing to the reduction agent hydrazine generated inside the films in the conversion. With the CH₃NH₃SnI₃ film as light absorber, mesoporous MASnI₃ perovskite solar cells were fabricated with a maximum PCE of 7.13 %.

Abstract

Tin‐based halide perovskite materials have been successfully employed in lead‐free perovskite solar cells, but the overall power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) have been limited by the high carrier concentration from the facile oxidation of Sn²⁺ to Sn⁴⁺. Now a chemical route is developed for fabrication of high‐quality methylammonium tin iodide perovskite (MASnI₃) films: hydrazinium tin iodide (HASnI₃) perovskite film is first solution‐deposited using presursors hydrazinium iodide (HAI) and tin iodide (SnI₂), and then transformed into MASnI₃ via a cation displacement approach. With the two‐step process, a dense and uniform MASnI₃ film is obtained with large grain sizes and high crystallization. Detrimental oxidation is suppressed by the hydrazine released from the film during the transformation. With the MASnI₃ as light harvester, mesoporous perovskite solar cells were prepared, and a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.13 % is delivered with good reproducibility.

Polymer power: Polymer donors have shown remarkable photovoltaic performance in non‐fullerene organic solar cells (OSCs). The molecular design strategies are analyzed in terms of developing suitable polymer donors for non‐fullerene acceptors to further improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of non‐fullerene organic solar cells.

Abstract

Over the past few years, non‐fullerene organic solar cells have been a focus of research and their power conversion efficiencies have been improved dramatically from about 6 % to over 14 %. In addition to innovations in non‐fullerene acceptors, the ongoing development of polymer donors has contributed significantly to the rapid progress of non‐fullerene organic solar cell performance. This Minireview highlights the polymer donors that enable high‐performance non‐fullerene organic solar cells. We show the impressive photovoltaic devices results achieved by some of important classes of conjugated polymer systems in non‐fullerene organic solar cells. We discuss the molecular design strategies as far as developing matching polymer donors for non‐fullerene acceptors. We conclude with a brief summary and outlook for advances in donor polymers required for commercialization.

A facile and eco‐friendly approach is introduced to greatly promote the molecular order of nominally amorphous polymers and thus realize high‐efficiency in sequentially deposited (SD) nonfullerene solar cells. Applying a green solvent, (R)‐(+)‐limonene, enhances the polymer order and yields the best efficiency. Additionally, strong relationships between solvent, interaction parameter, and long period are observed for these new SD devices.

Abstract

Casting of a donor:acceptor bulk‐heterojunction structure from a single ink has been the predominant fabrication method of organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Despite the success of such bulk heterojunctions, the task ofcontrolling the microstructure in a single casting process has been arduous and alternative approaches are desired. To achieve OPVs with a desirable microstructure, a facile and eco‐compatible sequential deposition approach is demonstrated for polymer/small‐molecule pairs. Using a nominally amorphous polymer as the model material, the profound influence of casting solvent is shown on the molecular ordering of the film, and thus the device performance and mesoscale morphology of sequentially deposited OPVs can be tuned. Static and in situ X‐ray scattering indicate that applying (R)‐(+)‐limonene is able to greatly promote the molecular order of weakly crystalline polymers and form the largest domain spacing exclusively, which correlates well with the best efficiency of 12.5% in sequentially deposited devices. The sequentially cast device generally outperforms its control device based on traditional single‐ink bulk‐heterojunction structure. More crucially, a simple polymer:solvent interaction parameter χ is positively correlated with domain spacing in these sequentially deposited devices. These findings shed light on innovative approaches to rationally create environmentally friendly and highly efficient electronics.

3D chiral hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites are both kinetically and thermodynamically stable based on theoretical calculation, and chirality is transferred from chiral cations to the perovskite framework, which is of great interest in the fields of piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, ferroelectricity, topological quantum engineering, circularly polarized optoelectronics, and spintronics.

Abstract

Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), in particular 3D HOIPs, have demonstrated remarkable properties, including ultralong charge‐carrier diffusion lengths, high dielectric constants, low trap densities, tunable absorption and emission wavelengths, strong spin–orbit coupling, and large Rashba splitting. These superior properties have generated intensive research interest in HOIPs for high‐performance optoelectronics and spintronics. Here, 3D hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites that implant chirality through introducing the chiral methylammonium cation are demonstrated. Based on structural optimization, phonon spectra, formation energy, and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, it is found that the chirality of the chiral cations can be successfully transferred to the framework of 3D HOIPs, and the resulting 3D chiral HOIPs are both kinetically and thermodynamically stable. Combining chirality with the impressive optical, electrical, and spintronic properties of 3D perovskites, 3D chiral perovskites is of great interest in the fields of piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, ferroelectricity, topological quantum engineering, circularly polarized optoelectronics, and spintronics.