State-of-the-art perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit comparable power conversion efficiency (PCE) to that of silicon photovoltaic devices. However, the device stability remains a major obstacle that restricts widespread application. Doping-induced hygroscopicity, ion diffusion, and use of polar solvents in the hole-transport layer are detrimental factors for performance degradation of PSCs. Here, phase-transfer-catalyzed LiTFSI doping in Spiro-OMeTAD is developed to address these negative impacts. 12-Crown-4 as an efficient phase-transfer catalyst promotes the dissolution of LiTFSI without requiring acetonitrile. A combined experimental and theoretical study demonstrates the host-guest interaction between Li+ ions and 12-crown-4. Crowning Li+ ions by forming more stable and less diffusive crown-ether-Li+ complexes retards the generation of hygroscopic lithium oxides and mitigates Li+ -ion migration. Optimized PSCs deliver enhanced PCE and significantly improved stability under humid and thermal conditions compared with a control device. This method can also be applied to dope π-conjugated polymer. The findings provide a facile avenue to improve the long-term stability of PSCs.
Keywords: crown ether; lithium ions; perovskite solar cells; phase-transfer catalysis; stability.
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