Electron diffusion at Sn perovskite/fullerene derivative interfaces and its influence on open-circuit voltage

Abstract Tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are the most promising alternatives to toxic lead-based ones. However, the loss in open-circuit voltage (V OC) remains an important issue. Improvement of V OC has been achieved by using a fullerene derivative, indene-C60 bisadduct (ICBA), as the elect...

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Main Authors: Atushi Sato, Seira Yamaguchi, Akio Hasegawa, Yukihiro Shimoi, Tomoya Nakamura, Atsushi Wakamiya, Kazuhiro Marumoto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:npj Flexible Electronics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00424-5
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author Atushi Sato
Seira Yamaguchi
Akio Hasegawa
Yukihiro Shimoi
Tomoya Nakamura
Atsushi Wakamiya
Kazuhiro Marumoto
author_facet Atushi Sato
Seira Yamaguchi
Akio Hasegawa
Yukihiro Shimoi
Tomoya Nakamura
Atsushi Wakamiya
Kazuhiro Marumoto
author_sort Atushi Sato
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are the most promising alternatives to toxic lead-based ones. However, the loss in open-circuit voltage (V OC) remains an important issue. Improvement of V OC has been achieved by using a fullerene derivative, indene-C60 bisadduct (ICBA), as the electron transporting layer (ETL). For further V OC improvement, the V OC improvement mechanisms must be clarified. Herein, we show, at a molecular level, V OC improvement mechanisms by an ICBA ETL in tin-based PSCs. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy reveals that electron diffusion from perovskite to ETL occurs at perovskite/ETL interfaces, producing unfavorable upward band-bending of perovskite. Employing ICBA with a shallower LUMO level suppresses the upward band-bending as well as reduces the energy offset with the conduction band minimum of perovskite. Suppressing this unfavorable upward band-bending reduces interface recombination at perovskite/ETL interfaces and contributes to V OC improvement. These insights support efficient optimization of the charge-transporting layer for additional improvement of V OC.
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issn 2397-4621
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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series npj Flexible Electronics
spelling doaj-art-3f67a2e2bf244dcc8cc90218f3fa9a722025-08-20T02:00:13ZengNature Portfolionpj Flexible Electronics2397-46212025-05-01911910.1038/s41528-025-00424-5Electron diffusion at Sn perovskite/fullerene derivative interfaces and its influence on open-circuit voltageAtushi Sato0Seira Yamaguchi1Akio Hasegawa2Yukihiro Shimoi3Tomoya Nakamura4Atsushi Wakamiya5Kazuhiro Marumoto6Department of Materials Science, Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of TsukubaDepartment of Materials Science, Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of TsukubaInstitute for Chemical Research, Kyoto UniversityDepartment of Materials Science, Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of TsukubaInstitute for Chemical Research, Kyoto UniversityInstitute for Chemical Research, Kyoto UniversityDepartment of Materials Science, Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of TsukubaAbstract Tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are the most promising alternatives to toxic lead-based ones. However, the loss in open-circuit voltage (V OC) remains an important issue. Improvement of V OC has been achieved by using a fullerene derivative, indene-C60 bisadduct (ICBA), as the electron transporting layer (ETL). For further V OC improvement, the V OC improvement mechanisms must be clarified. Herein, we show, at a molecular level, V OC improvement mechanisms by an ICBA ETL in tin-based PSCs. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy reveals that electron diffusion from perovskite to ETL occurs at perovskite/ETL interfaces, producing unfavorable upward band-bending of perovskite. Employing ICBA with a shallower LUMO level suppresses the upward band-bending as well as reduces the energy offset with the conduction band minimum of perovskite. Suppressing this unfavorable upward band-bending reduces interface recombination at perovskite/ETL interfaces and contributes to V OC improvement. These insights support efficient optimization of the charge-transporting layer for additional improvement of V OC.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00424-5
spellingShingle Atushi Sato
Seira Yamaguchi
Akio Hasegawa
Yukihiro Shimoi
Tomoya Nakamura
Atsushi Wakamiya
Kazuhiro Marumoto
Electron diffusion at Sn perovskite/fullerene derivative interfaces and its influence on open-circuit voltage
npj Flexible Electronics
title Electron diffusion at Sn perovskite/fullerene derivative interfaces and its influence on open-circuit voltage
title_full Electron diffusion at Sn perovskite/fullerene derivative interfaces and its influence on open-circuit voltage
title_fullStr Electron diffusion at Sn perovskite/fullerene derivative interfaces and its influence on open-circuit voltage
title_full_unstemmed Electron diffusion at Sn perovskite/fullerene derivative interfaces and its influence on open-circuit voltage
title_short Electron diffusion at Sn perovskite/fullerene derivative interfaces and its influence on open-circuit voltage
title_sort electron diffusion at sn perovskite fullerene derivative interfaces and its influence on open circuit voltage
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00424-5
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