Highly Efficient and Scalable p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Poly-metallocene Interfaces

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Photovoltaics

Background:

• Inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs) offer facile processing but suffer from efficiency losses at larger scales due to interface limitations.
• Improving interfacial properties is crucial for reducing energy loss and enhancing the performance and scalability of PSCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel poly ferrocenyl molecules for modulating perovskite surfaces in PSCs.
• To investigate the impact of these molecules on interfacial characteristics and device performance for both small and large-area PSCs.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and application of poly ferrocenyl molecules as interface modifiers in inverted p-i-n PSCs.
• Characterization of perovskite-ferrocenyl interactions and interfacial properties.
• Fabrication and performance testing of small- and large-area PSCs, including long-term stability assessments.

Main Results:

• The perovskite-ferrocenyl interaction forms a hybrid complex, enhancing surface coordination and activating electronic states.
• Reduced interfacial non-radiative recombination and charge transport resistance losses were observed.
• Small-area PSCs achieved a maximum efficiency of 26.08%, while large-area devices (1.0208 cm²) reached 24.51% efficiency.
• Large-area PSCs retained over 92% of their initial efficiency after 2000 hours of continuous operation under simulated sunlight and elevated temperature.

Conclusions:

• Poly ferrocenyl molecules effectively modulate perovskite surfaces, enabling high-efficiency and stable small- and large-area PSCs.
• The developed interface engineering strategy significantly mitigates efficiency drops associated with scaling up PSCs.
• This work presents a promising pathway for the commercial viability of perovskite solar technology.