Composites electron transport layer of PVA-regulated SnO2 for high-efficiency stable perovskite solar cells

As a new and efficient solar cell, perovskite solar cell has attracted wide attention due to its excellent performance. The electron transport layer in perovskite solar cells has a significant impact on device performance. SnO ₂ films that can be prepared by solution method have become the first choice for electron transport layer due to their simple process and excellent performance. However, the defects in SnO ₂ thin films and non-radiative recombination sites at the SnO ₂/Perovskite interface will lead to potential losses in the performance of photovoltaic devices. Therefore, in order to improve the interface loss and interface characteristics and prepare more efficient perovskite solar cells. In this work, a functional polymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), is introduced to regulate the arrangement of SnO ₂ nanocrystals. The SnO ₂-PVA composite electron transport layer not only improves carrier transport, but also further affects the growth of perovskite films. PVA inhibits the agglomeration of tin dioxide particles by adding it to the aqueous solution of tin dioxide. Meanwhile, the oxygen vacancy defects in the SnO ₂ layer have also improved. Correspondingly, SnO ₂-PVA-based PSCs can be obtained a maximum efficiency of 23.73 %. Attributed to the strengthened interface binding and the improved perovskite crystallization process, the devices obtain good long-term stability, retaining 90 % of their initial performance after 1000 h operation at their maximum power point under 1 sun illumination.