Double-side Interfacial Engineering of Hole Transport Layer Enables Efficient and Operationally Stable Colloidal
Xin Wen1,2, Can Gao1, Xiaobo Ding1
1Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, P. R. China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|April 23, 2025
Summary
Researchers improved lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cell stability by engineering interfaces. This breakthrough enhances operational longevity and efficiency for CQD solar cells.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells offer good storage stability but suffer from poor operational stability.
- Both organic and inorganic hole transport layers (HTLs) contribute to device instability, hindering practical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the critical interfacial factors limiting the performance and operational stability of PbS CQD solar cells.
- To develop a double-side interfacial engineering strategy for enhancing device stability and efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Engineered the interfaces between CQDs and polymer HTLs, and between HTLs and electrodes.
- Achieved surface energy matching and energy level grading through the interfacial engineering strategy.
Main Results:
- Realized a power conversion efficiency of 14.28% for PbS CQD solar cells using P3HT HTL, the highest reported for organic HTLs.
- Demonstrated significantly improved operational stability, maintaining 90% of initial power (T90) for approximately 520 hours in ambient air.
Conclusions:
- Double-side interfacial engineering is crucial for overcoming stability limitations in PbS CQD solar cells.
- The developed strategy offers a pathway for creating highly efficient and stable CQD-based optoelectronic devices.
