N,N-Bis(9-methyl-3-carbazolyl)-4-anisidine as an Electroactive Material for Use in Perovskite Solar Cells

Di-(9-methyl-3-carbazolyl)-(4-anisyl)-amine is presentedas an effectivehole-transporting material suitable for application in perovskitesolar cells. It is obtained by a three-step synthesis from inexpensivestarting compounds. It has a relatively high glass transition temperatureof 93 degrees C and thermal stability with 5% weight loss at 374 degrees C.The compound exhibits reversible double-wave electrochemical oxidationbelow +1.5 V and polymerization at higher potential. A mechanism forits oxidation is proposed based on electrochemical impedance and electronspin resonance spectroscopy investigations, ultraviolet-visible-near-infraredabsorption spectroelectrochemistry results, and density functionaltheory-based calculations. Vacuum-deposited films of the compoundare characterized by a low ionization potential of 5.02 +/- 0.06eV and hole mobility of 10(-3) cm(2)/(Vs)at an electric field of 4 x 10(5) V/cm. The newly synthesizedcompound has been used to fabricate dopant-free hole-transportinglayers in perovskite solar cells. A power conversion efficiency of15.5% was achieved in a preliminary study.

Automated summary

This study presents Di-(9-methyl-3-carbazolyl)-(4-anisyl)-amine as an effective hole-transporting material for perovskite solar cells. The compound is synthesized from inexpensive starting compounds through a three-step synthesis. It exhibits reversible double-wave electrochemical oxidation and polymerization at higher potential. The compound has been used to fabricate dopant-free hole-transporting layers in perovskite solar cells, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 15.5%.