journal article·2025-09Open access

MXene‐Engineered Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 Perovskite Solar Cells: Rational Screening and Interfacial Dynamics for Lead‐Free Photovoltaics

Lin Yang, Tianfang Zheng, Ziyan Liu, Naoyuki Shibayama, Peng Li, Jiangang Ma, Xintong Zhang, Hancheng Zhu, Xiao‐Feng Wang, Haiyang Xu, Yichun Liu

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 33

Abstract

Abstract MXenes have demonstrated exceptional performance in energy applications, yet their potential in photovoltaic systems, particularly in lead‐free perovskite solar cells (PSCs), remains underexplored, with no strategic studies addressing how MXene composition influences critical photovoltaic performance. Here, we present the first strategic screening of M 2 X‐type MXenes (including Hf 2 CT x , Zr 2 CT x , Ta 2 CT x , Nb 2 CT x , Mo 2 CT x , and V 2 CT x ) for rational heterojunction design with Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 , focusing on the interplay between properties of MXenes and photovoltaic performance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that MXenes can induce substantial electronic states near the Fermi level, creating superior charge transfer paths in Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 , with V 2 CT x exhibiting the lowest interfacial contact barrier and the highest carrier transfer efficiency. Complementary ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations coupled with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses further demonstrate that the functional termination groups like ─F in MXenes effectively passivate Br vacancies in Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 , thereby enhancing crystallization and suppressing defect densities. Consequently, the experimental results yielded a trend in line with the calculations, and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device with V 2 CT x represented a 36% improvement, accompanied by exceptional stability. By establishing quantitative structure‐property relationships between MXenes and Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 , this work provides a universal materials selection paradigm for developing high‐performance, environmentally‐friendly photovoltaic technologies.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: MXene and MAX Phase Materials · Perovskite Materials and Applications · Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

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

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics Key Laboratory for UV‐Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Physics Northeast Normal University 5268 Renmin Street Changchun 130024 China

Key Laboratory of Physics and Technology for Advanced Batteries (Ministry of Education) College of Physics Jilin University Changchun 130012 China

Graduate School of Engineering Toin University of Yokohama 1614 Kurogane‐cho, Aoba Yokohama Kanagawa 225–8503 Japan

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · Education Department of Jilin Province

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