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Monovalent Cation Doping of CH3NH3PbI3 for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Published on: March 19, 2017
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A zwitterionic polymer as an interfacial layer for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Suyuan Zhou1, Tao Zhu1, Luyao Zheng1
1Department of Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron Akron OH 44325 USA xgong@uakron.edu.
RSC Advances
|May 9, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel zwitterionic polymer interfacial layer for perovskite solar cells. This new layer significantly enhances device efficiency and stability by improving film morphology and charge transport.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a rapidly advancing photovoltaic technology.
- The performance and stability of PSCs are critically dependent on interfacial layers.
- Optimizing the interface between the photoactive layer and hole extraction layer is crucial for efficient charge transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of a photoinitiation-crosslinked zwitterionic polymer, dextran with carboxybetaine modified by methacrylate (Dex-CB-MA), as an interfacial layer in PSCs.
- To improve the film morphology of the methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) photoactive layer.
- To enhance the interfacial contact between the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hole extraction layer and the CH3NH3PbI3 photoactive layer.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a Dex-CB-MA interfacial layer using photoinitiation-crosslinking.
- Integration of the Dex-CB-MA layer between PEDOT:PSS and the CH3NH3PbI3 active layer in PSCs.
- Characterization of film morphology, band alignment, and device performance (efficiency and stability).
Main Results:
- The Dex-CB-MA layer improved the crystallization of the CH3NH3PbI3 photoactive layer.
- A better band alignment was achieved between the PEDOT:PSS and CH3NH3PbI3 layers with the Dex-CB-MA interface.
- Perovskite solar cells utilizing the PEDOT:PSS/Dex-CB-MA interface showed over 30% enhancement in power conversion efficiency.
- Significantly boosted operational stability was observed in PSCs with the Dex-CB-MA interfacial layer.
Conclusions:
- Dex-CB-MA serves as an effective interfacial layer for enhancing perovskite solar cell performance and stability.
- The zwitterionic polymer facilitates improved film morphology, band alignment, and charge carrier transport.
- This study presents a facile method for fabricating high-efficiency and stable perovskite solar cells.
