Enhanced Organic and Perovskite Solar Cell Performance through Modification of the Electron-Selective Contact with a Bodipy–Porphyrin Dyad

Abstract

Photovoltaic devices based on organic semiconductors and organo-metal halide perovskites have not yet reached the theoretically predicted power conversion efficiencies while they still exhibit poor environmental stability. Interfacial engineering using suitable materials has been recognized as an attractive approach to tackle the above issues. We introduce here a zinc porphyrin–triazine–bodipy donor−π bridge–acceptor dye as a universal electron transfer mediator in both organic and perovskite solar cells. Thanks to its “push–pull” character, this dye enhances electron transfer from the absorber layer toward the electron-selective contact, thus improving the device’s photocurrent and efficiency. The direct result is more than 10% average power conversion efficiency enhancement in both fullerene-based (from 8.65 to 9.80%) and non-fullerene-based (from 7.71 to 8.73%) organic solar cells as well as in perovskite ones (from 14.56 to 15.67%), proving the universality of our approach. Concurrently, by forming a hydrophobic network on the surface of metal oxide substrates, it improves the nanomorphology of the photoactive overlayer and contributes to efficiency stabilization. The fabricated devices of both kinds preserved more than 85% of their efficiency upon exposure to ambient conditions for more than 600 h without any encapsulation.

Recent Progress of Critical Interface Engineering for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

“…[ 224 ] Finally, molecular dyes have recently attracted extensive interests and have been applied in different types of solar cell (organic solar cell, dye sensitized solar cell and PSCs) and at various interfaces of PSCs, due to their facile synthesis process, intense absorption and emission in the visible and near‐infrared region, and stable photochemical properties under humidity and heat. [ 66,225–228 ] Especially, squaraine dyes with a reasonable‐stabilized zwitterionic structure, can passivate both deep defects of and shallow defects on the surface of perovskite, are promising passivator candidates for application in PSCs. [ 169,171 ] The evaluation for interface materials should be more strict and practical, in accord with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards (IEC 61 215 and IEC 61 646) for commercial terrestrial and thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules and follow the International Summit on Organic PV Stability (ISOS) protocols.…”

“…[ 224 ] Finally, molecular dyes have recently attracted extensive interests and have been applied in different types of solar cell (organic solar cell, dye sensitized solar cell and PSCs) and at various interfaces of PSCs, due to their facile synthesis process, intense absorption and emission in the visible and near‐infrared region, and stable photochemical properties under humidity and heat. [ 66,225–228 ] Especially, squaraine dyes with a reasonable‐stabilized zwitterionic structure, can passivate both deep defects of and shallow defects on the surface of perovskite, are promising passivator candidates for application in PSCs. [ 169,171 ]…”

Eliminating the Detrimental Effect of Secondary Doping on PEDOT : PSS Hole Transporting Material Performance

“…[5][6][7] Apart from the development of acceptors, interface engineering upon electrodes, that is, developing hole/electron transporting materials (HTMs/ETMs), is also a most effective strategy to further enhance the performance of OSCs to a new level. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] As for ETM development, multiple types of materials including metal oxides, small-molecule organic compounds, and nonconjugated/conjugated polymers endowed high performance for OSCs. [28][29][30] In sharp contrast, the development of HTMs is comparatively lagging behind.…”

A Modified Triple-Diode Model Parameters Identification for Perovskite Solar Cells via Nature-Inspired Search Optimization Algorithms

“…The functionality of the ETL, as well as its interface with the perovskite, are crucial for the overall PSCs performance and stability [7,8]. Several interface engineering approaches [9][10][11][12] have been implemented to confront the abovementioned issues. Recently, manganese-based porphyrin was incorporated in planar PSCs [13] as an electron transport mediator which facilitated the electron transfer, favored the growth of more homogenous perovskite films with larger and better crystallized grains and, thus, resulted in enhanced PCE and improved stability.…”