Small carbazole-based molecules as hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells

Abstract

In this study, six small carbazole-based molecules are investigated for usage as hole transport materials (HTMs) in perovskite solar cells. Among these compounds, two molecules based on 9-(4-(thiophen-2-yl)phenyl)-9H-carbazole thiophene-phenyle and carbazole (M₁ and M₂) were already synthesized, and four new molecules are designed by substituting carbazole, in positions 3,6 and 2,7, with methoxyphenyl (P₁ and P₂) and dimethoxyphenylamine (E₁ and E₂). Theoretical methods used in the calculations included density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory. FMOs of all under-probe molecules are well positioned to ensure accurate alignment and prevent charge recombination at the perovskite material interface. The molecules' absorbance in the area below 404 nm shows that HTMs cannot compete with perovskite materials in an inverted configuration of a device. Reorganization energies indicate that M₁, P_1,2 and E_1,2 are more favourable to be HTM, while M₂ shows a favourable electron transfer; it can be used as an electron transfer material (ETM). The results demonstrate that hole-electron couples can easily separate for any under-exanimated molecules, simplifying hole transport and enhancing the short-circuit (J_SC). Additionally, DMPA-based molecules (E_1,2) may display chemical instability because of their poor hardness and the local distribution of charge in electrostatic potential maps.

Keywords: Carbazole; DFT; HTM; Perovskite solar cells.