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DOE OSTI · 3029981

Optimizing 2D passivation for enhancing performance of fully air-processed carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells

Khawaja, Kausar Ali [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)]·Vijayaraghavan, S. N. [Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham, AL (United States)]·Penukula, Saivineeth [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0009000744756351)·Xiang, Wenjun [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)]·Rolston, Nicolas [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000180931689)·Li, Lin [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)]·Yan, Feng [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000202086886)
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Abstract

Air-processed carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) offer scalable and cost-effective photovoltaic manufacturing but face efficiency loss compared to metal-contact perovskite solar cells. Surface passivation of three-dimensional (3D) perovskites with two-dimensional (2D) perovskite layers has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance device performance. However, the mechanisms by which 2D perovskites more effectively improve C-PSC efficiency and stability remain underexplored. This study investigates the efficacy of 2D/3D heterostructures using n-hexylammonium bromide (C6Br), phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI), and n-octylammonium iodide (OAI) as surface passivators for C-PSCs. C-PSCs treated with C 6 Br achieved a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.0%. This enhancement is attributed to superior defect passivation, improved charge extraction, and suppressed non-radiative recombination. Transient ion-drift characterization demonstrates that C 6 Br and OAI reduce ionic conductivity by 2–3 orders of magnitude, correlating with enhanced operational stability under continuous illumination. Our findings highlight the role of short-chain bromide cations (C 6 Br) in optimizing halide-mediated defect healing and interfacial band alignment, positioning 2D-passivated C-PSCs as viable competitors to conventional metal-contact perovskite solar cells.

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Khawaja, Kausar Ali [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)], Vijayaraghavan, S. N. [Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham, AL (United States)], Penukula, Saivineeth [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0009000744756351), Xiang, Wenjun [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)], Rolston, Nicolas [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000180931689), Li, Lin [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)], Yan, Feng [Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000202086886). 2025-07-10. Optimizing 2D passivation for enhancing performance of fully air-processed carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5el00099h

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