In situ processed gold nanoparticle-embedded TiO2 nanofibers enabling plasmonic perovskite solar cells to exceed 14% conversion efficiency

We have demonstrated organometallic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on Au decorated TiO2 nanofibers and methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbl(3)). A power conversion efficiency of 14.92% was achieved, which is significantly higher than that of conventional mesoporous (mp) TiO2, as well as TiO2 nanofiber-based devices. The present synthetic process provides new opportunities for the development of efficient plasmonic PSCs based on metal oxide nanofibers. Solar cells based on these architectures exhibit a short-circuit current density J(SC) of 21.63 +/- 0.36 mA cm(-2), V-OC of 0.986 +/- 0.01 V and fill factor of 70% +/- 3%, which provide a power conversion efficiency of 14.92% +/- 0.33% under standard AM 1.5 conditions. The results of time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy and solid-state impedance spectroscopy (ssIS) revealed that PSCs based on Au-decorated TiO2 nanofibers exhibit a low recombination rate. The present results are much higher than those for reported PSCs based on a Au@TiO2 electron-transporting layer (ETL).