Dual-anchor interface engineering with a phosphonic acid modifier for improving perovskite solar cell performance

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Solution-processed tin oxide (SnO2) electron transport layers (ETLs) are scalable for perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
• Interfacial defects in SnO2 ETLs and perovskite layers limit device performance.
• Interface engineering offers a route to high-performance PSCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a dual-functional interface engineering strategy for SnO2 ETLs in PSCs.
• To utilize aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) for simultaneous regulation of charge transport and crystallization.
• To improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of SnO2 ETLs via sol-gel methods.
• Interface modification using aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA).
• Characterization using open-circuit photovoltage attenuation analysis (OCVD) and transient photovoltage (TPC).

Main Results:

• AMPA effectively passivates SnO2 surface defects and uniformizes surface potential.
• AMPA promotes perovskite film growth with enhanced crystallinity, phase purity, and reduced defects.
• Devices with AMPA modification showed increased power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 18.95% to 20.47% with improved stability.
• Reduced ion aggregation and migration were observed.

Conclusions:

• Dual-functional interface engineering with AMPA is a viable strategy for high-performance PSCs.
• AMPA improves charge dynamics and perovskite film quality, leading to enhanced device efficiency and stability.
• This approach addresses key interfacial challenges in perovskite solar cell technology.