journal article·2025-12-16

Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte-Driven Self-Assembled Monolayer for Bidirectional Interfacial Engineering in Sn–Pb Perovskite Solar Cells

Jina Roe, Jong Bin Park, Dong Gyu Lee, Jongdeuk Seo, Jae Hoon Son, Sujung Park, Jung Geon Son, Ha-eun Koo, Sang Wook Park, Shinuk Cho, Tae Kyung Lee, Jin Young Kim, Han Young Woo

ACS Nano· Volume 19· Issue 49
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Abstract

Tin–lead (Sn–Pb) mixed perovskites exhibit ideal bandgaps (1.21–1.25 eV) for high-efficiency single-junction and tandem solar cells, yet they suffer from interfacial instability arising from Sn vacancies, Sn oxidation, and poor film morphology. While self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have emerged as promising hole-selective interlayers, conventional monophosphonate-based SAMs show weak interfacial binding and poor wettability, challenges that become more pronounced in scalable Sn–Pb perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a rationally designed SAM, 6,6′-(2,7-bis(9-(4-phosphonobutyl)-9H-carbazol-2-yl)-9H-fluorene-9,9-diyl)bis( N,N,N -trimethylhexan-1-ammonium bromide) (4PACz-TMABr), is developed, based on conjugated oligoelectrolytes featuring both phosphonic acid groups and ionic moieties. The dual phosphonic acid groups improve interfacial coverage on indium tin oxide, while the quaternary ammonium bromide ionic moieties suppress interfacial perovskite defects and Sn 2+ oxidation. These dual interactions promote the orderly alignment of the SAM and facilitate its function as a bidirectional interfacial linker. The formation of uniform, high-crystallinity Sn–Pb perovskite films is further supported by density functional theory calculations. Consequently, 4PACz-TMABr-based Sn–Pb PSCs achieve a champion power conversion efficiency of 22.67% in small-area devices and 17.61% in 1 cm 2 devices, along with improved thermal stability. This work highlights a strategic molecular approach to SAM design, offering a pathway toward scalable, stable, and efficient Sn–Pb perovskite PSCs.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Perovskite Materials and Applications · Organic Electronics and Photovoltaics · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

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

Affiliations

School of Energy and Chemical Engineering

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)

Department of Chemistry

Korea University

Department of Materials Engineering and Convergence Technology, Gyeongsang National University (GNU), 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea

Department of Semiconductor Physics and EHSRC

University of Ulsan

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Gyeongsang National University (GNU), 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea

Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality

Funding

National Research Foundation of Korea

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