As the most commonly used hole transport material (HTM)
in tin–lead
(Sn–Pb) perovskite solar cells (PSCs), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)
polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) limits the power conversion efficiency
(PCE) and stability of the PSCs due to its acidic characteristics.
Herein, an easily synthesized polymer HTM poly[(phenyl)imino[9-(2-ethylhexyl)carbazole]-2,7-diyl]
(CzAn) with a shallow highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level
of −4.95 eV is used in a p-i-n structure, methylammonium-free,
Sn–Pb PSC to replace PEDOT:PSS. Upon optimization using doping
and surface engineering, high quality Sn–Pb PSCs could be successfully
fabricated, boosting the PCE to 22.6% (stabilized PCE of 21.3%) compared
with 21.2% for PEDOT:PSS. The perovskite films prepared on the modified
CzAn HTM possess improved crystallinity, reduced trap-state density,
and larger carrier mobility resulting in PSCs with greatly improved
stability.