In Situ Constructing Intermediate Energy-Level Perovskite Transition Layer for 15.03% Efficiency HTL-Free Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells with a High Fill Factor of 0.81

Hole transporting layer (HTL)-free, all-inorganic CsPbX3 (X: I, Br, or mixed halides), carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) show promising prospect for photovoltaic application due to their low cost, excellent stability, and theoretical high efficiency. However, the inefficient hole extraction of the carbon electrode and relatively narrow light absorption range of inorganic perovskite limit the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of this kind of PSCs. Herein, these issues are addressed through in situ constructing of an intermediate energy-level perovskite transition layer between CsPbI2.2Br0.8 and the carbon electrode via a facile formamidinium iodide (FAI) posttreatment strategy. It is demonstrated that the (CsFA)PbI3-xBrx film is in situ formed atop inorganic perovskite due to the ions exchange between FAI and CsPbI2.2Br0.8, which can not only broaden the light absorption edge of CsPbI2.2Br0.8 from 657 to 680 nm, but also serve as a hole transfer highway between CsPbI2.2Br0.8 and the carbon electrode, mainly due to its suitable intermediate energy-level and effective defect passivation. Consequently, the optimized HTL-free C-PSC achieves a champion PCE of 15.03% with an ultrahigh fill factor of 0.81. Besides, the stability of CsPbI2.2Br0.8 film (especially under humid environment) and corresponding C-PSC are also improved.

Automated summary

An intermediate energy-level perovskite transition layer is applied to address the inefficient hole extraction and narrow light absorption range of all-inorganic CsPbX3-based carbon perovskite solar cells, resulting in improved efficiency and stability.