Readily synthesized dopant-free hole transport materials with phenol core for stabilized mixed perovskite solar cells

With the dramatic development of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PVSCs), device lifetime has become one of the extensive research interests and concerns. To enhance the device durability, developing high performance dopant-free hole transport materials (HTMs) is a promising strategy. Herein, two new C3-symmetric HTMs with phenol core, TCP-OH and TCP-OC8 are readily prepared and show ultra-wide energy band-gap and excellent film-formation property. PCEs of 16.97% and 15.28% are achieved with pristine TCP-OH and TCP-OC8 film as HTMs, respectively, even though their hole mobilities are as low as 10(-6) cm(2) V-1 s(-1). Phenol acts as hole trap in traditional concept, however, TCP-OH shows higher hole mobility than that of TCP-OC8. Moreover, TCP-OH shows higher glass transition temperature and better matching band alignment than those of TCP-OC8. Phenol shows great potential as building block for HTMs as it is beneficial to enhance hole mobility of HTMs. Moreover, our study demonstrates an interesting viewpoint to design HTMs with the balance of hole mobility and electron blocking effect. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.