Dual-Functional-Polymer Dopant-Passivant Boosted Electron Transport Layer for High-Performance Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

Herein, the use of the polymer poly([N, N'-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5'-(2,2'-bithiophene)) (PNDI-2T) as both a dopant in the [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) electron transport layer (ETL) of inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and a surface passivant on the perovskite layer is reported. The PNDI-2T doping is found to be crucial for improving the homogeneity of the ETL film with complete surface coverage, enhancing the electron mobility of the ETL, and promoting the energy level match between the perovskite and ETL, thereby significantly facilitating electron transport in the PSC devices. Furthermore, as a passivant, the PNDI-2T in the ETL tends to pin on the top surface of the perovskite layer via Pb-S coordination. The surface passivation is also beneficial for the suppression of ion migration and diffusion of metal species from the electrodes. In consequence, PSCs with the PCBM:PNDI-2T ETL reached an efficiency of 21.13% and retain 90% of their original performance after 860 h light soaking. This work will inspire new efforts to take advantage of multifunctional ETLs as a simple and effective method to enhance the performance and long-term stability of PSCs.

Automated summary

In this study, the polymer PNDI-2T was used as a dopant and surface passivant in inverted perovskite solar cells, leading to improved homogeneity, surface coverage, electron mobility, and energy level matching in the ETL. Additionally, as a passivant, PNDI-2T helped to suppress ion migration and diffusion of metal species from the electrodes, resulting in enhanced efficiency and long-term stability of PSCs.