Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a leading low‐cost photovoltaic technology, achieving power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of up to 26.1%. However, their commercialization is hindered by stability issues and the need for controlled processing environments. Carbon‐electrode‐based PSCs (C‐PSCs) offer enhanced stability and cost‐effectiveness compared to traditional metal‐electrode PSCs, i.e., Au and Ag. However, processing challenges persist, particularly in air conditions where moisture sensitivity poses a significant hurdle. Herein, a novel air processing technique is presented for planar C‐PSCs that incorporates antisolvent vapors, such as chlorobenzene, into a controlled air‐quenching process. This method effectively mitigates moisture‐induced instability, resulting in champion PCEs exceeding 20% and robust stability under ambient conditions. The approach retains 80% of initial efficiency after 30 h of operation at maximum power point without encapsulation. This antisolvent‐mediated air‐quenching technique represents a significant advancement in the scalable production of C‐PSCs, paving the way for future large‐scale deployment.
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Multifunction Hydrophobic Ligand Engineered Cd(S, Se)/ZnS Quantum Dots for Stabilizing Highly Efficient Carbon‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
The long‐term operational stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) remains a key challenge impeding their commercialization, particularly due to ambient environments (e.g., moisture, oxygen, heat)‐induced degradation. Carbon electrode‐based PSCs have emerged as cost‐effective and relatively stable alternatives to metal electrode‐based devices due to carbon materials' hydrophobic behavior, yet they still lag in both long‐term durability and power conversion efficiency (PCE). In this work, an ultrathin hydrophobic ligand‐modified core–shell Cd(S,Se)/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) capping layer is introduced as a multifunctional interfacial modifier for carbon‐electrode‐based PSCs. This oleic acid ligand‐modified QDs capping layer exhibits inherent hydrophobicity, effectively serving as a moisture barrier to retard perovskite degradation under ambient conditions. Furthermore, the strong interfacial bonding between the QDs and perovskite halide surfaces leads to efficient trap state passivation, reducing trap density and creating a more uniform electrical contact. The modified QDs/perovskite interface also features an elevated conduction band edge, promoting improved charge extraction. As a result, devices incorporating this quantum dot capping layer retain 98% of their initial PCE after 450 h of ambient aging and achieve a champion efficiency of 20.74%. This strategy highlights the potential of hydrophobic ligand‐modified chalcogenide QDs as surface modifiers to enhance both the stability and performance of carbon‐based PSCs, offering a promising route toward scalable fabrication of durable perovskite solar modules.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2330738
- PAR ID:
- 10650049
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Functional Materials
- ISSN:
- 1616-301X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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