Strengthened Interficial Adhesive Fracture Energy by Young's Modulus Matching Degree Strategy in Carbon-Based HTM Free MAPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cell with Enhanced Mechanical Compatibility

Carbon-based hole transport layer-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI3) have become one of the research focus due to low cost, easy preparation, and good optoelectronic properties. However, instability of perovskite under vacancy defects and stress-strain makes it difficult to achieve high-efficiency and stable power output. Here, a soft-structured long-chain 2D pentanamine iodide (abbreviated as PI) is used to improve perovskite quality and interfacial mechanical compatibility. PI containing CH3(CH2)(4)NH3+ and I- ions not only passivate defects at grain boundaries, but also effectively alleviate residual stress during high temperature annealing via decreasing Young's modulus of perovskite film. Most importantly, PI effectively increases matching degree of Young's modulus between MAPbI(3) (47.1 GPa) and carbon (6.7 GPa), and strengthens adhesive fracture energy (G(c)) between perovskite and carbon, which is helpful for outward release of nascent interfacial stress generated under service conditions. Consequently, photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of optimal device is enhanced from 10.85% to 13.76% and operational stability is also significantly improved. 83.1% output is maintained after aging for 720 h at room temperature and 25-60% relative humidity (RH). This strategy of regulation from chemistry and physics provides a strategy for efficient and stable carbon-based PSCs.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the use of a soft-structured long-chain 2D pentanamine iodide (PI) to improve the quality and stability of carbon-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The PI effectively passivates defects at grain boundaries and reduces residual stress during high temperature annealing. As a result, the photoelectric conversion efficiency and operational stability of PSCs are significantly enhanced.