Intrinsic Organic Semiconductors as Hole Transport Layers in p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells

Thin polymeric and small-molecular-weight organic semiconductors are widely employed as hole transport layers (HTLs) in perovskite solar cells. To ensure ohmic contact with the electrodes, the use of doping or additional high work function (WF) interlayer is common. In some cases, however, intrinsic organic semiconductors can be used without any additive or buffer layers, although their thickness must be tuned to ensure selective and ohmic hole transport. Herein, the characteristics of thin HTLs in vacuum-deposited perovskite solar cells are studied, and it is found that only very thin (<5 nm) HTLs readily result in high-performing devices, as the HTL acts as a WF enhancer while still ensuring selective hole transfer, as suggested by ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy and Kelvin probe measurements. For thicker films (>= 5 nm), a dynamic behavior for consecutive electrical measurements is observed, a phenomenon which is also common to other widely used HTLs. Finally, it is found that despite their glass transition temperature, small-molecule HTLs lead to thermally unstable solar cells, as opposed to polymeric materials. The origin of the degradation is still not clear, but might be related to chemical reactions/diffusion at the HTL/perovskite interface, in detriment of the device stability.

Automated summary

This study investigates the characteristics of thin hole transport layers (HTLs) in vacuum-deposited perovskite solar cells. It is found that only very thin HTLs (<5 nm) result in high-performing devices, while thicker films (>= 5 nm) exhibit dynamic behavior in consecutive electrical measurements. Furthermore, small-molecule HTLs are found to lead to thermally unstable solar cells, possibly due to chemical reactions/diffusion at the interface with the perovskite layer.