Sequential Molecule-Doped Hole Conductor to Achieve >23% Perovskite Solar Cells with 3000-Hour Operational Stability

Adv Mater. 2023 Sep;35(35):e2303692. doi: 10.1002/adma.202303692. Epub 2023 Jul 13.

Abstract

Although hole transport layers (HTLs) based on solution-processed doped Spiro-OMeTAD are extremely popular and effective for their remarkable performance in n-i-p perovskite solar cells (PSCs), their scalable application is still being held back by poor chemical stability and unsatisfied scalability. Essentially, the volatile components and hygroscopic nature of ionic salts often cause morphological deformation that deteriorate both device efficiency and stability. Herein, a simple and effective molecular implantation-assisted sequential doping (MISD) approach is strategically introduced to modulate spatial doping uniformity of organic films and fabricate all evaporated Spiro-OMeTAD layer in which phase-segregation free HTL is achieved accompanied with high molecular density, uniform doping composition, and superior optoelectronic characteristics. The resultant MISD-based devices attain a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.4%, which represents the highest reported value among all the PSCs with evaporated HTLs. Simultaneously, the unencapsulated devices realize considerably enhanced stability by maintaining over 90% of their initial PCEs in the air for 5200 h and after working at maximum power point under illumination for 3000 h. This method provides a facile way to fabricate robust and reliable HTLs toward developing efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.

Keywords: Spiro-OMeTAD; molecular implantation; perovskite solar cells; sequential molecular doping; thermal evaporation.