Ultraviolet-Controlled Radical Dopants: Suppressing Unpredictable Oxidation and Lithium Migration in Perovskite Solar...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Photovoltaics

Background:

• Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) match silicon solar cell efficiency but face stability issues.
• Traditional doping methods for PSCs are complex, time-consuming, and unpredictable.
• The spiro-OMeTAD hole transport layer is crucial but requires careful doping.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified, efficient, and stable doping strategy for PSCs.
• To investigate UV-light-triggered dopants for spiro-OMeTAD.
• To address the critical stability-efficiency trade-off in PSCs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two triphenyl sulfonium (TPS) salts as UV-light-triggered radical-generating dopants.
• Applied TPS salts to dope 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis [N,N-di(4-methoxyphenyl) amino]-9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD).
• Fabricated PSCs using TPS dopants and silver top-electrodes, testing under operational conditions.

Main Results:

• Achieved a champion power conversion efficiency of 25.18% with TPS doping.
• Eliminated the need for traditional air-oxidation doping, simplifying fabrication.
• Demonstrated exceptional stability in PSCs under various operational conditions.

Conclusions:

• TPS salts provide a scalable, cost-effective doping strategy for PSCs.
• This novel doping approach enhances both efficiency and stability.
• The findings position PSCs as strong candidates for commercial renewable energy applications.