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Metal-Free Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells with N-DMBI-Doped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Enhanced Charge
Naoki Ueoka1, Achmad Syarif Hidayat1, Hisayoshi Oshima2
1Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 16, 2025
Summary
This study developed an inverted perovskite solar cell using N-DMBI-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as a back electrode, achieving 10.1% efficiency and superior long-term stability compared to silver electrodes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a promising photovoltaic technology.
- Conventional PSCs often rely on metallic back electrodes, which can be unstable.
- Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) offer potential as alternative electrode materials due to their conductivity and flexibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate an inverted PSC utilizing N-DMBI-doped SWCNTs as a back electrode, eliminating the need for metallic components.
- To investigate the effect of different hole transport layers (HTLs) on device performance.
- To evaluate the long-term stability of SWCNT-based PSCs compared to traditional silver electrodes.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of inverted PSCs with the structure ITO/HTL/CH3NH3PbI3/PCBM/PDIN/N-DMBI-doped SWCNT.
- Utilized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine] (PTAA) as HTLs.
- Characterized device performance (power conversion efficiency, J-V characteristics) and material properties (sheet resistance, ionization potential, Seebeck coefficient) using techniques like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Main Results:
- Achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.9% with PEDOT:PSS and 10.1% with PTAA as HTL.
- SWCNT-based PSCs retained 90% of their initial PCE after 50 days, significantly outperforming Ag-electrode devices (50% decrease).
- N-DMBI doping reduced SWCNT sheet resistance, shifted ionization potential, and converted SWCNTs to n-type, confirmed by Seebeck coefficient change from +65.7 μV/K to -22.5 μV/K.
- XPS confirmed effective removal of oxygen and water from SWCNT surfaces by N-DMBI and PDIN doping.
- The PDIN interfacial layer prevented direct contact between PCBM and SWCNTs, reducing carrier traps and improving J-V characteristics.
Conclusions:
- N-DMBI-doped SWCNTs serve as an effective, stable back electrode for inverted PSCs, replacing conventional metallic electrodes.
- The use of PTAA as HTL and a PDIN interfacial layer further enhances device efficiency and stability.
- This approach offers a pathway towards more durable and efficient perovskite solar cell technology.
