Multi-Functional Spirobifluorene Phosphonate Based Exciplex Interface Enables V_oc Reaching 95% of Theoretical Limit...

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) show significant advancements in power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, the open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of PSCs is limited by interfacial factors such as defect-induced recombination, energy band mismatch, and non-intimate interface contact. Here, an exciplex interface is first developed based on the strategically designed and synthesized two spirobifluorene phosphonate molecules to mitigate V_OC loss in PSCs. The exciplex interface constructed by the intimate contact between the multi-functional molecules and hole transport layer takes the roles to promote the hole extraction by donor-acceptor interaction, passivate coordination-unsaturated Pb²⁺ defects by equipped phosphonate groups, and optimize the energy level alignment. As a result, a record V_OC of 1.26 V with a perovskite bandgap of 1.61 eV is achieved, representing over 95% of theoretical limit. This advancement leads to an increase in PCE from 21.29% to 24.12% and improved stability. The exciplex interface paves the way for addressing the long-standing challenge of V_OC loss and promotes the wider application of PSCs.