Learning From Plants: Lycopene Additive Passivation toward Efficient and Fresh Perovskite Solar Cells with Oxygen and Ultraviolet Resistance

Currently, the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is closely linked to undermined defects in the perovskite, and the correct approach to ensure stability under practical conditions is still in dispute. Therefore, natural, healthy, and low-cost additives are expected to not only reduce the trap sites but also drastically improve stability. In this work, the natural antioxidant additive lycopene extracted from tomatoes is introduced into PSCs. The results indicate that lycopene can passivate the grain boundaries, improve the crystallinity, reduce trap density, and facilitate the alpha phase formation of perovskite at room temperature. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is considerably improved from 20.57% to 23.62% with vastly enhanced J(sc) and V-oc. Additionally, lycopene can eliminate the UV-induced free radicals in the light aging process. The target device displays the enhanced hydrophobic, antioxidative properties, which demonstrates high O-2 stability with 91.2% average PCE for 960 h, improved UV stability and long-term stability with an average PCE of 92.4% after 3500 h. This work provides a strategy to solve the existing efficiency and stability issues in PSC devices through learning from natural plants, which paves the way for the development of environmentally friendly PSCs with high efficiency and stability, on the path toward industrialization.

Automated summary

In this study, natural antioxidant lycopene extracted from tomatoes is introduced into perovskite solar cells, improving their power conversion efficiency and stability. Lycopene can passivate grain boundaries, improve crystallinity, reduce trap density, and eliminate UV-induced free radicals. This work provides a strategy to enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells through using natural additives.