Photo Stabilization of p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells with Bathocuproine: MXene

Interface engineering is one of the promising strategies for the long-term stabilization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), preventing chemical decomposition induced by external agents and promoting fast charge transfer. Recently, MXenes-2D structured transition metal carbides and nitrides with various functionalization ((sic)O, -F, -OH) have demonstrated high potential for mastering the work function in halide perovskite absorbers and have significantly improved the n-type charge collection in solar cells. This work demonstrates that MXenes allow for efficient stabilization of PSCs besides improving their performances. A mixed composite bathocuproine:MXene, that is, (BCP:MXene) interlayer, is introduced at the interface between an electron-transport layer (ETL) and a metal cathode in the p-i-n device structure. The investigation demonstrates that the use of BCP:MXene interlayer slightly increases the power conversation efficiency (PCE) for PSCs (from 16.5 for reference to 17.5%) but dramatically improves the out of Glove-Box stability. Under ISOS-L-2 light soaking stress at 63 +/- 1.5 degrees C, the T80 (time needed to reduce efficiency down to 80% of the initial one) period increases from 460 to > 2300 hours (h).

Automated summary

Interface engineering is a promising strategy for stabilizing perovskite solar cells. This study introduces a mixed composite interlayer between the electron-transport layer and the metal cathode, which slightly improves the power conversion efficiency and significantly enhances the stability of the solar cells.