Efficient perovskite solar cells using trichlorosilanes as perovskite/PCBM interface modifiers

Interfaces are crucial for high-performance perovskite solar cells. Here, phenyltrichlorosilane (PTS) and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) were used to modify the interface between perovskite layer and [6,6] phenyl- C-61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) layer in an inverted layered perovskite device. Such treatments facilitated the formation of a high-quality PCBM film and effectively decreased the density of surface traps that induce undesirable electron-hole recombination. As a result, the average power conversion efficiency of PTS (and OTS) modified devices was improved from 9.60% to 11.96% (and 11.08%), with a highest value of 12.63% (and 11.87%). Therefore, this study provides an attractive mothed to improve the quality of PCBM film on top of perovskite layer and finally the performance of inverted perovskite solar cells. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.