Small Molecule-Polymer Composite Hole-Transporting Layer for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2017 Apr 19;9(15):13240-13246. doi: 10.1021/acsami.7b02223. Epub 2017 Apr 4.

Abstract

Effective and stable hole-transporting materials (HTMs) are necessary for obtaining excellent planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we reported a solution-processed composite HTM consisting of a polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and a small-molecule copper phthalocyanine-3,4',4″,4‴-tetrasulfonated acid tetrasodium salt (TS-CuPc) with optimized doping ratios. The composite HTM is crucial for not only enhancing the hole transport and extraction but also improving the perovskite crystallization. In addition, the composite HTM can weaken the indium tin oxide erosion by reducing the acidity and increasing the dispersibility of the PEDOT:PSS aqueous dispersion via incorporating suitable TS-CuPc. Consequently, a highly efficient device was fabricated with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.29%. Its short-circuit current (JSC) is 22.23 mA/cm2, and its open-circuit voltage (VOC) is 1.01 V. Meanwhile, it exhibited a higher fill factor (FF) of 77% and improved cell stability. The developed composite HTM provides a good potential anode interfacial layer for fabricating outstanding PSCs.

Keywords: high efficiency; high stability; hole-transporting layer; perovskite solar cells (PSCs); small molecule-polymer.