Interfacial Linkage and Carbon Encapsulation Enable Full Solution-Printed Perovskite Photovoltaics with Prolonged Lifespan

Simplified perovskite solar cells (PSCs) were fabricated with the perovskite layer sandwiched and encapsulated between carbon-based electron transport layer (ETL) and counter electrode (CE) by a fully blade-coated process. A self-assembled monolayer of amphiphilic silane (AS) molecules on transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrate appeals to the fullerene ETL deposition and preserves its integrity against the solvent damage. The AS serves as a molecular glue to strengthen the adhesion toughness at the TCO/ETL interface via robust chemical interaction and bonding, facilitating the interfacial charge extraction, increasing PCEs by 77 % and reducing hysteresis. A PCE of 18.64 % was achieved for the fully printed devices, one of the highest reported for carbon-based PSCs. AS-assisted interfacial linkage and carbon-material-assisted self-encapsulation enhance the stability of the PSCs, which did not experience performance degradation when stored at ambient conditions for over 3000 h.

Automated summary

Simplified perovskite solar cells were fabricated using a fully blade-coated process, with the perovskite layer sandwiched between carbon-based electron transport layer and counter electrode. The use of a self-assembled monolayer of amphiphilic silane molecules on a transparent conducting oxide substrate enhanced stability by facilitating interfacial charge extraction and reducing hysteresis. This approach increased PCE and maintained performance stability over 3000 hours of storage under ambient conditions.