Investigating the Role of 4‐Tert Butylpyridine in Perovskite Solar Cells. Issue 1 (8th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Habisreutinger, Severin N.; Noel, Nakita K.; Snaith, Henry J.; Nicholas, Robin J.
• Is Part Of: Advanced energy materials. Volume 7:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2016-09-08
• Subjects: 4‐tert butylpyridine -- hole‐transporting materials -- perovskite solar cells -- single‐walled carbon nanotubes; Energy harvesting -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Materials -- Periodicals; Photovoltaics -- Periodicals; Fuel cells -- Periodicals; Thermoelectric materials -- Periodicals; 621.31
• DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201601079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1614-6832

Abstract

Abstract : The majority of hole‐transporting layers used in n‐i‐p perovskite solar cells contain 4‐ tert butylpyridine ( t BP). High power‐conversion efficiencies and, in particular, good steady‐state performance appears to be contingent on the inclusion of this additive. On the quest to improve the steady state efficiencies of the carbon nanotube‐based hole‐transporter system, this study has found that the presence of t BP results in an extraordinary improvement in the performance of these devices. By deconstructing a prototypical device and investigating the effect of t BP on each individual layer, the results of this study indicate that this performance enhancement must be due to a direct chemical interaction between t BP and the perovskite material. This study proposes that t BP serves to p‐dope the perovskite layer and investigates this theory with poling and work function measurements. Abstract : The effect of the hole‐transporter additive 4‐ tert Butylpyridine ( t BP) on the device performance of perovskite solar cells is investigated. The additive is shown to improve the steady‐state efficiency of perovskite solar cells independent of the hole‐transport material. A direct interaction between t BP and the perovskite absorber is identified as being responsible for the observed improvement.