C60 as an Efficient n-Type Compact Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells

J Phys Chem Lett. 2015 Jun 18;6(12):2399-405. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b00902. Epub 2015 Jun 10.

Abstract

Organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells have rapidly evolved over the last 3 years. There are still a number of issues and open questions related to the perovskite material, such as the phenomenon of anomalous hysteresis in current-voltage characteristics and long-term stability of the devices. In this work, we focus on the electron selective contact in the perovskite solar cells and physical processes occurring at that heterojunction. We developed efficient devices by replacing the commonly employed TiO2 compact layer with fullerene C60 in a regular n-i-p architecture. Detailed spectroscopic characterization allows us to present further insight into the nature of photocurrent hysteresis and charge extraction limitations arising at the n-type contact in a standard device. Furthermore, we show preliminary stability data of perovskite solar cells under working conditions, suggesting that an n-type organic charge collection layer can increase the long-term performance.

Keywords: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; fullerene; hysteresis; perovskite solar cell; photoluminescence; power conversion efficiency; stability.