Over 20% PCE perovskite solar cells with superior stability achieved by novel and low-cost hole-transporting materials. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Fei; Wang, Zhiqiang; Zhu, Hongwei; Pellet, Norman; Luo, Jingshan; Yi, Chenyi; Liu, Xicheng; Liu, Hongli; Wang, Shirong; Li, Xianggao; Xiao, Yin; Zakeeruddin, Shaik Mohammed; Bi, Dongqin; Grätzel, Michael
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 41(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 469
• Page End: 475
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Stability -- Thiophene -- Hole transporting materials -- Perovskite solar cell; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.09.035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: The exploration of alternative low-cost molecular hole-transporting materials (HTMs) for both highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is a relatively new research area. Two novel HTMs using the thiophene core were designed and synthesized (Z25 and Z26). The perovskite solar cells based on Z26 exhibited a remarkable overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.1%, which is comparable to 20.6% obtained with spiroOMeTAD. Importantly, the devices based-on Z26 show better stability compared to devices based on Z25 and spiroOMeTAD when aged under ambient air of 30% or 85% relative humidity in the dark and under continuous full sun illumination at maximum power point tracking respectively. The presented results demonstrate a simple strategy by introducing double bonds to design hole-transporting materials for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells with low cost, which is important for commercial application. Graphical abstract: Two novel and low-cost thiophene-based hole transporting materials were designed and synthesized. The newly developed Z26 based perovskite solar cell exhibited a remarkable PCE of 20.1% along with enhanced stability under ambient air and illumination. Highlights: Two novel and low-cost thiophene-based hole transporting materials were designed and synthesized. The newly developed Z26 based perovskite solar cell exhibited a remarkable PCE of 20.1%. The devices show relatively better stability than that of spiroOMeTAD under ambient air and illumination. The cost of the new HTMs are much cheaper than that of spiroOMeTAD.