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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Influence of Hybrid Perovskite Fabrication Methods on Film Formation, Electronic Structure, and Solar Cell Performance
Published on: February 27, 2017
Enhancing Perovskite Solar Cell Performance via Engineering the Hole Transport Interface with Star-Shaped
Wenbin Zhang1, Ziyang Xia1, Cheng Chen1
1Institute for Energy Research, College of Future Technologies, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
A novel star-shaped molecule, TB-CZ, effectively passivates defects in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This interface modification enhances power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability for efficient solar energy conversion.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) offer high efficiency but suffer from performance degradation due to interface defects.
- Interface modification is crucial for improving the stability and efficiency of PSCs.
- Defects at the perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD interface limit charge extraction and transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a star-shaped small-molecule interface passivation material (IPM) for PSCs.
- To investigate the passivation effect of the novel material on perovskite defects.
- To enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability of PSCs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a star-shaped small-molecule IPM, TB-CZ, featuring a nitrogen-rich benzimidazole core and carbazole side chains.
- Modification of the perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD interface using TB-CZ.
- Characterization of the modified perovskite films and devices.
- Performance evaluation of PSCs, including power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability tests.
Main Results:
- The synthesized TB-CZ effectively passivates Pb2+ defects in perovskites via multidentate coordination.
- TB-CZ improves material solubility, leading to higher quality perovskite films.
- Optimized energy levels in TB-CZ modified PSCs promote efficient hole extraction and transport.
- Achieved a PCE of 24.9% on small-area devices (0.055 cm2) and 22.0% on large-area devices (1 cm2).
- Demonstrated remarkable long-term stability, retaining 81% of initial PCE after 1000 h storage under ambient conditions without encapsulation.
Conclusions:
- The rational design of star-shaped passivation materials like TB-CZ is a viable strategy for enhancing PSC performance.
- TB-CZ significantly improves both the efficiency and operational stability of perovskite solar cells.
- This work offers a promising approach for developing next-generation, stable, and efficient perovskite photovoltaics.
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