Monodentate versus Bidentate Anchoring Groups in Self-Assembling Molecules (SAMs) for Robust p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2023 Dec 2. doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c13727. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Current improvement in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been achieved by interface engineering and fine-tuning of charge-selective contacts. In this work, we report three novel molecules that can form self-assembled layers (SAMs) as an alternative to the most commonly used p-type contact material, PTAA. Two of these molecules have bidentate anchoring groups (MC-54 and MC-55), while the last one is monodentate (MC-45). Besides the PTAA comparison, we also compared those two types of molecules and their effect on the solar cell's performance. Devices fabricated with MC-54 and MC-55 showed a remarkable field factor (about 80%) and a better current density, leading to higher efficient solar cells in comparison to MC-45 and PTAA. Moreover, mono- and bidentate present higher stability and reproducibility in comparison to PTAA.

Keywords: interface engineering; perovskite; self-assembled molecules; solar cells; surface modification.