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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Influence of Hybrid Perovskite Fabrication Methods on Film Formation, Electronic Structure, and Solar Cell Performance
Published on: February 27, 2017
n-Type polymer layers enable efficient, scalable, and thermally stable perovskite solar modules
Danpeng Gao1, Jie Gong1, Lei Yang1
1Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 30, 2026
Summary
A novel nonfullerene polymer, 2PB-T, enhances perovskite solar cell stability and efficiency. This polymer overcomes limitations of fullerene electron transport layers (ETLs), achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term operational stability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photovoltaics
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Fullerene electron transport layers (ETLs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) suffer from cost, scalability, and instability issues.
- Inorganic oxides, while stable, present energy alignment problems and increase hysteresis, reducing power conversion efficiency (PCE).
- Existing ETLs limit the commercial viability and long-term performance of PSCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a stable, efficient, and scalable nonfullerene electron transport layer for inverted (p-i-n) perovskite solar cells.
- To address the limitations of current ETL materials by engineering a novel conjugated polymer.
- To improve the overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) and operational stability of PSCs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a novel nonfullerene conjugated polymer, 2PB-T, incorporating perylene bisimide (PBI) units.
- Fabrication of inverted (p-i-n) perovskite solar cells using 2PB-T as the ETL.
- Device characterization, including power conversion efficiency (PCE) measurements, stability testing under continuous maximum power point tracking (MPPT) at elevated temperatures, and outdoor operation assessments.
Main Results:
- Small-area devices achieved a champion PCE of 27.8% and a certified MPPT efficiency of 27.3%.
- Perovskite modules demonstrated high PCEs: 24.4% for 20.6 cm² and 22.5% for 625 cm².
- Exceptional stability was observed: small-area devices retained >98.6% PCE after 1752 hours at 85°C, and the large module maintained 96.9% PCE after 5900 hours outdoors.
Conclusions:
- The novel 2PB-T nonfullerene polymer offers a promising alternative to traditional ETLs in PSCs.
- The PBI-based polymer backbone and side-chain engineering enhance electron transport, film uniformity, and interfacial binding, leading to improved device performance.
- The demonstrated high PCE and remarkable operational stability pave the way for the commercialization of stable and efficient perovskite solar technologies.
