In Situ-Grown 2D Perovskite Based on π-Conjugated Aggregation-Induced Emission Organic Spacer Boosting the Efficiency and Stability of 2D–3D Heterostructured Perovskite Solar Cells

The two-dimensional-three-dimensional (2D-3D) heterostructured perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have drawn widespread interest, wherein the organic spacer plays a significant role in the photovoltaic performance. Herein, a novel π-conjugated organic spacer with the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property, (Z)-2-([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-3-(5-(4-(3-aminopropoxy)phenyl)thiophen-2-yl)acrylonitrile (BPCSA-S), is designed and synthesized, which is successfully applied for the in situ construction of 2D-3D heterostructured PSCs via the two-step solution method. By virtue of the functional groups (i.e., cyano, thiophene, and amino) in BPCSA-S, the BPCSA-S organic spacer can trigger the in situ growth of 2D perovskites, which will serve as the template for the heteroepitaxial growth of 3D perovskites, thus obtaining a 2D-3D heterostructured film with high-quality and few defects. More pleasingly, benefiting from the AIE property and delocalized π-electrons in the π-conjugated BPCSA-S organic spacer, excellent photosensitization process and carrier transport can be achieved. Consequently, the resultant 2D-3D heterostructured PSCs yield a pleasing PCE of 22.07%, accompanied by mitigatory hysteresis, as well as enhanced stability. Our research shows a hopeful multifunctional organic spacer approach using the novel π-conjugated AIE organic spacer for high-performance PSCs.