journal article·2025-08Open access

Dual‐Ion Synergy Breaks 20% Barrier in Electron Transport Layer‐Free Perovskite Solar Modules

Zezhu Zhou, Nan Wang, Jinguo Cao, Hong Liu, Zihui Liang, Congcong Wu, Dong Yang

Small· Volume 21· Issue 31

Abstract

Abstract Electron transport layer‐free (ETL‐free) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) represent a promising research direction for the industrial‐scale deployment of next‐generation technologies. However, achieving efficiency exceeding 20% in ETL‐free PSCs requires the incorporation of an intermediate layer between perovskite and electrode, which undermines the fundamental goal of simplified device architecture. Herein, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIMTFSI) is used to passivate perovskite film. This process occurs through distinct enrichment mechanisms involving both the anionic and cationic species of EMIMTFSI, which results in notable enhancements in the efficiency and stability of ETL‐free PSCs. Experimental results confirm that EMIM + and TFSI − interact with uncoordinated iodide and lead ions in the perovskite, respectively. Furthermore, the fluorine in TFSI − forms a hydrogen bond with the N‐H group in perovskite. The synergistic effects of these interactions contribute to enhanced crystallization, improved energy level alignment, and reduced defects in perovskite film. As a result, the device achieves an efficiency of 22.08% with excellent stability under environmental and light exposure. Importantly, the ETL‐free perovskite solar module with an efficiency of 20.27% is first reported. This study presents a simplified approach to boost the performanceof ETL‐free PSCs, providing an effective pave for the cost‐effective commercialization of perovskite photovoltaics.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Perovskite Materials and Applications · Solid-state spectroscopy and crystallography · Advancements in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials School of New Energy and Electrical Engineering Hubei University Wuhan 430062 China

State Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Conversion and Utilization of Solar Energy Dalian National Lab for Clean Energy Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Dalian 116023 China

National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production Wuhan Textile University Wuhan 430073 China

Funding

Chinese Academy of Sciences

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