Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2025
11:38
Influence of Hybrid Perovskite Fabrication Methods on Film Formation, Electronic Structure, and Solar Cell Performance
Published on: February 27, 2017
18.4K
Modulating Perovskite Surface Energetics Through Tuneable Ferrocene Interlayers for High-Performance Perovskite Solar
Francesco Vanin1,2, William D J Tremlett2, Danpeng Gao1
1Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|January 13, 2025
Summary
Multifunctional ferrocene interlayers enhance perovskite solar cell (PSC) efficiency and stability by reducing recombination and optimizing interfaces. A novel ferrocene derivative achieved a champion efficiency of 25.16% with excellent long-term operational stability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Interface engineering is critical for high-performance inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
- Electron transport layer (ETL) interfaces often suffer from non-radiative recombination and work function (WF) mismatches.
- Developing stable and efficient passivation strategies is essential for PSC commercialization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop multifunctional ferrocene (Fc)-based interlayers for perovskite/ETL interfaces.
- To investigate the impact of Fc interlayer properties on non-radiative recombination, WF, and surface uniformity.
- To establish structure-property relationships for Fc interlayers to optimize inverted PSC performance and stability.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of novel ferrocene-based interlayers with tunable passivating and electrochemical characteristics.
- Fabrication of inverted PSCs incorporating the Fc interlayers.
- Characterization of interfacial properties, including highest occupied molecular orbital energies (EHOMO) and perovskite valence band maximum (EVBM).
- Device performance testing (efficiency, stability) under operational stress.
Main Results:
- Fc interlayers effectively reduced non-radiative recombination and modulated perovskite surface WF and uniformity.
- A strong correlation was found between Fc EHOMO, perovskite EVBM, band bending, and charge extraction efficiency.
- The ferrocenyl-bis-furyl-2-carboxylate interlayer (2) demonstrated superior binding to Pb2+ sites, leading to champion inverted PSC efficiencies of 25.16%.
- Optimized devices exhibited remarkable stability, retaining over 92% of initial efficiency after 1,000 hours of operation at 65°C.
Conclusions:
- Ferrocene-based interlayers offer a promising strategy for rational control of perovskite/ETL interfaces.
- Tunable Fc EHOMO levels are key to optimizing interfacial energetics and charge dynamics.
- The developed interlayers significantly enhance both the efficiency and operational stability of inverted PSCs, paving the way for advanced solar technologies.
