BCP Buffer Layer Enables Efficient and Stable Dopant-Free P3HT Perovskite Solar Cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a promising hole transport material (HTM) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to its cost-effectiveness and conductivity.
• Current PSCs using P3HT suffer from suboptimal efficiency caused by energy level mismatches and poor interfacial contact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the performance of P3HT-based perovskite solar cells.
• To address energy level misalignment and interfacial contact issues at the P3HT/perovskite interface.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BCP) at the P3HT/perovskite interface.
• Investigating the role of BCP in anchoring uncoordinated Pb2+ ions and facilitating π-π stacking with P3HT.
• Analyzing the impact of these interactions on charge carrier transfer and recombination.

Main Results:

• BCP effectively anchored uncoordinated Pb2+ ions, mitigating recombination losses.
• π-π stacking interactions between BCP and P3HT improved P3HT film morphology and carrier transfer.
• The BCP-modified perovskite solar cell achieved a power conversion efficiency of 19.27%, a significant improvement over the control device (12%).

Conclusions:

• The insertion of BCP at the P3HT/perovskite interface is an effective strategy to enhance PSC performance.
• BCP acts as an interfacial modifier, reducing recombination and improving charge transport.
• This approach offers a viable pathway for developing more efficient perovskite solar cells.