Amino-Functionalized Niobium-Carbide MXene Serving as Electron Transport Layer and Perovskite Additive for the Preparation of High-Performance and Stable Methylammonium-Free Perovskite Solar Cells

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Tailoring Interlayer Spacers for Efficient and Stable Formamidinium-Based Low-Dimensional Perovskite Solar Cells

Lei Cheng et al.

Summary: By introducing a secondary interlayer spacer, the film quality of formamidinium-based low-dimensional perovskite is substantially improved, leading to enhanced device performance.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

ZnO/Ti3C2Tx monolayer electron transport layers with enhanced conductivity for highly efficient inverted polymer solar cells

Chunli Hou et al.

Summary: MXenes, a novel family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, demonstrate a wide spectrum of applications due to their unique optical and electronic properties. The addition of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets into zinc oxide (ZnO) to fabricate novel ZnO/Ti3C2Tx nanohybrid composite film results in excellent photoelectric characteristics. The enhanced power conversion efficiency and stability of photovoltaic devices based on ZnO/Ti3C2Tx composite electron transport layers (ETLs) are mainly attributed to the improved charges transfer and collection in inverted polymer solar cells (IPSCs).

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Modulation of the Electronic Properties of MXene (Ti3C2Tx) via Surface-Covalent Functionalization with Diazonium

Hongyue Jing et al.

Summary: The paper demonstrates the chemical modification of Ti3C2Tx MXene via diazonium covalent chemistry and the subsequent effects on the electrical properties of MXene. The work function of functionalized MXene can be modulated by adjusting the concentration of the diazonium salt solution, with an adjustable range of around 0.6 eV. The controlled modification of surface groups in Ti3C2Tx may imbue Ti3C2Tx with favorable electronic behaviors, showing prospects for electronic field applications.

ACS NANO (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Artificial Heterointerfaces Achieve Delicate Reaction Kinetics towards Hydrogen Evolution and Hydrazine Oxidation Catalysis

Qizhu Qian et al.

Summary: This study reports hierarchical porous nanosheet arrays with abundant Ni3N-Co3N heterointerfaces on Ni foam, showing superior activity in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR). Research indicates that optimizing heterointerfaces can improve hydrogen adsorption free energy and promote hydrazine dehydrogenation kinetics.

ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Metallic surface doping of metal halide perovskites

Yuze Lin et al.

Summary: The study demonstrates the method of n-type doping on the surface of halide perovskites using silver, strontium, and cerium ions, even up to the metallic state, providing crucial insights into tuning the material properties of semiconductors.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Reducing Energy Disorder of Hole Transport Layer by Charge Transfer Complex for High Performance p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells

Guiying Xu et al.

Summary: The study introduces a charge-transfer complex (CTC) strategy to reduce energy disorder in organic semiconductor charge-transport layers (OS-CTLs) and enhance the performance of p-i-n planar perovskite solar cells (pero-SCs).

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Perovskite solar cells with atomically coherent interlayers on SnO2 electrodes

Hanul Min et al.

Summary: By introducing an interlayer between the electron-transporting and perovskite layers in perovskite solar cells, researchers have successfully enhanced charge extraction and transport from the perovskite, leading to higher power conversion efficiency and fewer interfacial defects. The coherent interlayer allowed the fabrication of devices with a certified efficiency of 25.5%, which maintained about 90% of its initial efficiency even after continuous light exposure for 500 hours. The findings provide guidelines for designing defect-minimizing interfaces in metal halide perovskites and electron-transporting layers.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Physical

A Facile Surface Passivation Enables Thermally Stable and Efficient Planar Perovskite Solar Cells Using a Novel IDTT-Based Small Molecule Additive

Hyuntae Choi et al.

Summary: A novel small molecule additive, IDTT-ThCz, is developed to significantly suppress defects in perovskite solar cells through surface passivation, improve charge extraction capability, and prevent perovskite degradation. The IDTT-ThCz-treated PSCs exhibit remarkable efficiency and stability, retaining 95% of their initial power conversion efficiency after 500 hours of storage under thermal conditions, making it one of the most effective small molecule additives reported to date.

ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Applied

Multifunctional dopamine-assisted preparation of efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

Jiankai Zhang et al.

Summary: Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have great potential for next-generation photovoltaics due to their excellent optical and electrical properties, but defects inside the perovskite film can impair performance and stability. Utilizing the bioactive compound dopamine (DA) to passivate defects in perovskite films results in improved stability and efficiency of PSCs.

JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Physical

Grain Transformation and Degradation Mechanism of Formamidinium and Cesium Lead Iodide Perovskite under Humidity and Light

Kevin Ho et al.

Summary: Understanding the degradation pathways of mixed cation perovskites reveals that exposure to both light and high humidity can lead to a multistep decomposition process, involving phase separation and evaporation of certain components like FA. This knowledge can aid in the development of more stable perovskites by suppressing grain transformation during phase separation.

ACS ENERGY LETTERS (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Pseudo-halide anion engineering for α-FAPbI3 perovskite solar cells

Jaeki Jeong et al.

Summary: The research introduces a new concept of using formate anion to suppress defects in metal halide perovskite films and enhance film crystallinity, leading to improved efficiency and stability of solar cells.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Physical

Tailoring the Dimensionality of Hybrid Perovskites in Mesoporous Carbon Electrodes for Type-II Band Alignment and Enhanced Performance of Printable Hole-Conductor-Free Perovskite Solar Cells

Xiayan Chen et al.

Summary: The reduction of dimensionality in the perovskite absorber within mesoporous carbon electrodes via post-treatments enhances device performance. Printable hole-conductor-free perovskite solar cells using MAPbI(3) and FAPbI(3) achieve high efficiencies and open-circuit voltages, providing a new strategy for research in printable solar cells.

ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Manipulating SnO2 Growth for Efficient Electron Transport in Perovskite Solar Cells

Zongyao Qian et al.

Summary: The addition of TiAcAc molecule to the SnO2 nanoparticle solution improves the electronic transport properties of SnO2 and enhances the efficiency of perovskite solar cells, while also increasing film uniformity and conductivity. Furthermore, the long alkene groups in TiAcAc act as stabilizers to prevent nanoparticle aggregation, demonstrating great potential for boosting the efficiency of perovskite solar cells.

ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES (2021)

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Article Energy & Fuels

Stabilization of formamidinium lead triiodide α-phase with isopropylammonium chloride for perovskite solar cells

Byung-wook Park et al.

Summary: The study shows that using isopropylammonium to stabilize the perovskite structure greatly improves the long-term stability of solar cells, leading to enhanced efficiency performance.

NATURE ENERGY (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

The Trapped Charges at Grain Boundaries in Perovskite Solar Cells

Pengcheng Jia et al.

Summary: The performance of perovskite solar cells is greatly influenced by the crystallization of the perovskite active layer, with neatly arranged crystal grains promoting less residual charge and improved device performance. The testing of residual charge at grain boundaries provides insight into carrier trap and detrap characteristics in photovoltaic devices.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Multifunctional Conjugated Ligand Engineering for Stable and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Ke Ma et al.

Summary: A novel multifunctional semiconducting organic ammonium cationic interface modifier is reported to boost the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells, achieving an excellent power conversion efficiency of 22.06%. By improving energy level alignment and stabilizing the interface, ion migration and halide phase segregation are suppressed, leading to long-term operational stability.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Physics, Applied

Modulate the work function of Nb2CTx MXene as the hole transport layer for perovskite solar cells

Jiankai Zhang et al.

Summary: This study modulated the work function of Nb2CTx HTL through oxygen plasma treatment, leading to increased hole transfer efficiency and reduced charge recombination in inverted PVSCs.

APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS (2021)

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Editorial Material Materials Science, Ceramics

A decade of discovery: A review of MXenes, the family of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides

Yury Gogotsi

AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY BULLETIN (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Simultaneously Enhancing Efficiency and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells Through Crystal Cross-Linking Using Fluorophenylboronic Acid

Mingguang Li et al.

Summary: This study demonstrates a one-step solution-processing strategy for preparing efficient and stable inverted methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by incorporating organic molecule dopants of fluorophenylboronic acids (F-PBAs) into perovskite films. The F-PBA dopant acts as a cross-linker between perovskite grains, improving crystallinity and reducing defect densities. The inverted PSCs with F-PBA dopants exhibit significantly enhanced performance and improved stability under different environmental conditions.

SMALL (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Physical

π-Conjugated Small Molecules Modified SnO2 Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells with over 23% Efficiency

Qiang Lou et al.

Summary: This work presents a new type of SnO2 passivator, which improves the efficiency of perovskite solar cells by optimizing molecular stacking to enhance interfacial characteristics. The impressive power conversion efficiency over 23% achieved with this new passivator is among the highest reported values for triple-cation perovskite systems to date.

ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Physical

Work Function Adjustment of Nb2CTx Nanoflakes as Hole and Electron Transport Layers in Organic Solar Cells by Controlling Surface Functional Groups

Chengwen Huang et al.

Summary: The Nb2CTx nanoflakes were treated with alkali and annealing methods to regulate the surface functional groups and adjust the work function, leading to improved power conversion efficiency in polymer solar cells. This work demonstrates the potential application of Nb2CTx nanoflakes in photovoltaic devices.

ACS ENERGY LETTERS (2021)

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Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Designs from single junctions, heterojunctions to multijunctions for high-performance perovskite solar cells

Xin Wu et al.

Summary: Hybrid metal-halide perovskite solar cells have gained unprecedented attention for their superior photovoltaic performance and low-cost fabrication, achieving high power conversion efficiency through understanding the structure-property relationship and carrier dynamics. The evolution of heterojunction design and multijunction structures plays crucial roles in enhancing efficiency, aiming to surpass 30% PCE in the future.

CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS (2021)

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Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Solution-processed two-dimensional materials for next-generation photovoltaics

Sebastiano Bellani et al.

Summary: Graphene and related two-dimensional materials are promising candidates for driving innovation in PV technologies, with their mechanical, thermal, and optoelectronic properties being exploited in various active components of solar cells. The ability to tune their optoelectronic properties through wet-chemical functionalization enables effective integration of these materials in advanced PV devices through scalable, reliable, and inexpensive printing/coating processes.

CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS (2021)

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Review Chemistry, Physical

Recent advances in 2D MXenes: preparation, intercalation and applications in flexible devices

Jinxin Xu et al.

Summary: MXenes have gained much attention and developed rapidly since their discovery in 2011 due to their unique 2D structure and excellent properties. Various methods, from hazardous fluorine-based acid etching to safer routes like Lewis acid etching and chemical vapor deposition, have been successfully developed for preparing 2D MXenes. Intercalation or delamination is crucial for obtaining high-quality 2D MXene layers, and the flexibility, ductility, and stability of MXenes make them promising for applications in various fields.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Constructing an n/n+ homojunction in a monolithic perovskite film for boosting charge collection in inverted perovskite photovoltaics

Yan-Na Lu et al.

Summary: A surface modification of the perovskite film with InBr3 salt led to the formation of an n/n(+) homojunction, enhancing both the performance and operational stability of the inverted perovskite solar cells. This strategy narrowed the efficiency gap with conventional counterparts and improved efficiency retention over 1000 hours of operation.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (2021)

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Review Multidisciplinary Sciences

The world of two-dimensional carbides and nitrides (MXenes)

Armin Vahid Mohammadi et al.

Summary: MXenes, a family of two-dimensional materials, have diverse properties and wide-ranging applications in areas such as optics, catalysis, sensing, and medicine. Future research directions will focus on deepening the fundamental understanding of MXenes properties and exploring their potential for hybridization with other 2D materials.

SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Physical

Reduced energy loss enabled by thiophene-based interlayers for high performance and stable perovskite solar cells

Jiankai Zhang et al.

Summary: This study introduced three thiophene-based interlayers for perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) to reduce energy loss and improve performance. The interlayers optimized the electronic states of the SnO2 electron transport layer and MAPbI(3) film quality, enhancing conductivity and electron transportation efficiency. The interlayers also passivated defect states, promoted high quality film formation, and resulted in PVSCs with higher power conversion efficiency and stability.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2021)

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Review Nanoscience & Nanotechnology