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Chemical Compatibility of n-Type Dopants for SWCNT Cathodes in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Achmad Syarif Hidayat1, Naoki Ueoka1, Hisayoshi Oshima2
1Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Aichi, Japan.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 9, 2026
Summary
Developing stable, metal-free perovskite solar cells requires effective n-type doping of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Polymeric and coordination dopants enhance performance by improving interfacial compatibility and preserving perovskite structure.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) require efficient and stable electrodes.
- Flexible, metal-free electrodes are crucial for advancing PSC technology.
- Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are promising but intrinsically p-type, hindering performance in inverted architectures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of various n-type dopants on SWCNTs for use in PSCs.
- To understand the relationship between dopant chemistry, doping efficiency, and interfacial stability.
- To identify optimal doping strategies for stable and efficient metal-free PSCs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic investigation of seven n-type dopants (small molecules, ionic salts, polymers).
- Morphological, structural, and electronic analyses.
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations.
Main Results:
- Strong bases and ionic dopants degraded perovskite, while polymeric and coordination dopants maintained crystallinity.
- Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and triphenylphosphine (TPP) doped SWCNT electrodes showed the highest power conversion efficiencies (9.6% and 8.1%).
- Efficient electron extraction and improved interfacial stability were observed with PEI and TPP doping.
Conclusions:
- Interfacial chemical compatibility, not just donor strength, is key for effective n-type SWCNT doping.
- Polymeric and coordination dopants offer a viable strategy for stable, metal-free PSCs.
- This research provides design principles for next-generation perovskite photovoltaics.
