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  4. Innovating Carbon-based Perovskite Solar Cells: the Role of a Cn-anchoring Self-assembled Molecular Layer in Efficiency and Stability
 
research article

Innovating Carbon-based Perovskite Solar Cells: the Role of a Cn-anchoring Self-assembled Molecular Layer in Efficiency and Stability

Rezakhani, Sheida
•
Shahroosvand, Hashem
•
Gao, Peng
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July 25, 2025
Journal of Materials Chemistry A

The discovery of self-assembled molecular layers (SAMLs) containing anchoring groups such as COOH and PO3H as efficient hole-selective materials (HSMs) in p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is pivotal to enhancing the interaction between HSMs and perovskite layers. In this work, we propose, for the first time, an HSM featuring CN groups as anchoring groups in n-i-p devices, achieving a maxmium power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.37% (mean value = 19.83%) using a carbon electrode. The HSM is based on a phenanthroimidazole backbone linked to aza and cyanide groups. VASP computational studies reveal that the new HSM can coordinate to Pb atoms in the perovskite layer through CN groups in a bridging mode (where two CN groups bond to two Pb atoms), with an adsorption energy (Eads) of -1.04 eV. These SAMLs demonstrate greater stability compared to the classic spiro-OMeTAD, with a remarkable one-year operational stability. The photostability and thermal stability of PSCs incorporating the new SAMLs are notable, retaining approximately 97.5% of their initial PCE after 600 hours at 80 degrees C under ambient conditions. Additionally, the devices have exhibited impressive visual stability for over one year. The operational stability of PSCs based on carbon electrodes, combined with the versatility of CN-functionalized organic molecules, positions these materials as promising candidates for the large-scale production of PSCs with metal-free electrodes, eliminating the need for thermal evaporation techniques. Our findings represent a paradigm shift from conventional spiro-OMeTAD-based hole transporting materials to novel SAML-based HSMs, paving the way for advancements in PSC technology.

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Type
research article
DOI
10.1039/d5ta02440d
Web of Science ID

WOS:001555095000001

Author(s)
Rezakhani, Sheida

University Zanjan

Shahroosvand, Hashem

University Zanjan

Gao, Peng

Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nazeeruddin, Mohammad Khaja  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Date Issued

2025-07-25

Publisher

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY

Published in
Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Subjects

HOLE-TRANSPORT MATERIAL

•

LOW-COST

•

DOPANT-FREE

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HIGHLY EFFICIENT

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SPIRO-OMETAD

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MONOLAYERS

•

CONTACTS

•

IMPROVE

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DESIGN

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Science & Technology

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Physical Sciences

•

Technology

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LCOM  
FunderFunding(s)Grant NumberGrant URL

University of Zanjan

University of Zanjan

Available on Infoscience
September 2, 2025
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/253634
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