Stabilizing high-efficiency perovskite solar cells via strategic interfacial contact engineering
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Surface passivation in perovskite solar cells can enhance device efficiency, yet incomplete interfacial functionality poses challenges to long-term reliability. Here we present a strategic interfacial engineering approach using sodium heptafluorobutyrate to fully functionalize the perovskite surface. Sodium heptafluorobutyrate acts as an ion shield that tunes the perovskite surface work function and increases the defect formation energy, resulting in an improved interface with the electron transport layer that minimizes recombination and boosts electron extraction under operation. We find that a sodium-heptafluorobutyrate-functionalized perovskite surface promotes a uniform, compact C 60 layer that effectively blocks ion diffusion and stabilizes the device stack. This approach allows p–i–n perovskite solar cells to achieve a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 27.02% (certified 26.96% with a maximum-power-point-tracking PCE of 26.61%). Devices with an active area of 1 cm 2 deliver a PCE of 25.95%. Perovskite solar cells retain 100% of their initial efficiency following 1,200 h of continuous 1-sun illumination at the maximum power point. Devices also demonstrate exceptional thermal stability, retaining 92% of the initial PCE when ageing at 85 °C for 1,800 h and 94% after 200 thermal cycles between –40 °C and +85 °C.
Source: Nature Photonics
Authors: Guixiang Li, Zuhong Zhang, Benjamin Agyei-Tuffour, Luyan Wu, Thomas W. Gries, Karunanantharajah Prashanthan, Lennart Frohloff, Artem Musiienko, Jinzhao Li, Rui Zhu, Lucy J. F. Hart, Luyao Wang, Zhe Li, Bo Hou, Norbert Koch, Michele Saba, Piers R. F. Barnes, Jenny Nelson, Paul J. Dyson, Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin, Meng Li, Antonio Abate
Institutions: Southeast University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Henan University, University of Ghana, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, University of Cagliari, University of Jaffna, Imperial College London, Xiamen University, Queen Mary University of London, Cardiff University, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Bielefeld University, University of Naples Federico II
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $12,690
Funders: European Commission, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Universität Potsdam, Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province, Soochow University, Southeast University, Xiamen University, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W4415988330