Periodic Acid Modification of Chemical-Bath Deposited SnO2 Electron Transport Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells and Mini Modules

Chemical bath deposition (CBD) has been demonstrated as a remarkable technology to fabricate high-quality SnO2 electron transport layer (ETL) for large-area perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, surface defects always exist on the SnO2 film coated by the CBD process, impairing the devices' performance. Here, a facile periodic acid post-treatment (PAPT) method is developed to modify the SnO2 layer. Periodic acid can react with hydroxyl groups on the surface of SnO2 films and oxidize Tin(II) oxide to Tin(IV) oxide. With the help of periodic acid, a better energy level alignment between the SnO2 and perovskite layers is achieved. In addition, the PAPT method inhibits interfacial nonradiative recombination and facilitates charge transportation. Such a multifunctional strategy enables to fabricate PSC with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.25%, which remains 93.32% of its initial efficiency after 3000 h without any encapsulation. Furthermore, 3 x 3 cm(2) perovskite mini-modules are presented, achieving a champion efficiency of 18.10%. All these results suggest that the PAPT method is promising for promoting the commercial application of large-area PSCs.

Automated summary

Chemical bath deposition (CBD) is an effective method to fabricate high-quality SnO2 electron transport layer (ETL) for large-area perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, surface defects on the SnO2 films coated by CBD process have negative impacts on the device performance. In this study, a simple periodic acid post-treatment (PAPT) method is developed to modify the SnO2 layer and improve the energy level alignment between SnO2 and perovskite layers. The PAPT method also inhibits nonradiative recombination and enhances charge transportation, resulting in a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.25% for PSCs and 18.10% for perovskite mini-modules.