Solution-processed, binder-free pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes enabled by MAI passivation for high-performance, scalable perovskite solar cells

While carbon electrodes offer a cost-effective option for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), their efficiency is often compromised by the insulating polymer binders required. Addressing this limitation, we demonstrate a polymer binder-free electrode using pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene, applied directly onto th...

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Main Authors: Harit Chunlim, Manopat Depijan, Kasempong Srisawad, Tanawut Meekati, Duangmanee Wongratanaphisan, Pipat Ruankham, Pongsakorn Kanjanaboos, Pasit Pakawatpanurut
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Applied Surface Science Advances
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666523925001114
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author Harit Chunlim
Manopat Depijan
Kasempong Srisawad
Tanawut Meekati
Duangmanee Wongratanaphisan
Pipat Ruankham
Pongsakorn Kanjanaboos
Pasit Pakawatpanurut
author_facet Harit Chunlim
Manopat Depijan
Kasempong Srisawad
Tanawut Meekati
Duangmanee Wongratanaphisan
Pipat Ruankham
Pongsakorn Kanjanaboos
Pasit Pakawatpanurut
author_sort Harit Chunlim
collection DOAJ
description While carbon electrodes offer a cost-effective option for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), their efficiency is often compromised by the insulating polymer binders required. Addressing this limitation, we demonstrate a polymer binder-free electrode using pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene, applied directly onto the perovskite via a simple solution-processing technique. A major obstacle emerged: the direct interface between untreated, hydrophilic Ti3C2Tx and the perovskite proved unstable, causing rapid degradation. We resolved this critical issue by introducing a novel methylammonium iodide (MAI) surface treatment for Ti3C2Tx prior to deposition. This passivation strategy proved essential, stabilizing the interface by neutralizing reactive surface groups. PSCs utilizing these MAI-treated, binder-free Ti3C2Tx electrodes achieved 13.8 % power conversion efficiency, substantially exceeding carbon controls (10.7 %), primarily due to a significantly enhanced fill factor (75.2 % vs 58.2 %) and low sheet resistance. Furthermore, demonstrating practical potential, these MXene electrodes maintain performance better than carbon when the active area is scaled up. Although encapsulation is required to protect the hydrophilic MXene and ensure long-term stability (>360 h) in ambient conditions, this work charts an effective course for developing highly conductive, scalable, binder-free electrodes for advanced PSCs.
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spelling doaj-art-72a011d5d4ff4dbd981b8274e431e6b92025-08-20T04:01:48ZengElsevierApplied Surface Science Advances2666-52392025-08-012810080310.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100803Solution-processed, binder-free pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes enabled by MAI passivation for high-performance, scalable perovskite solar cellsHarit Chunlim0Manopat Depijan1Kasempong Srisawad2Tanawut Meekati3Duangmanee Wongratanaphisan4Pipat Ruankham5Pongsakorn Kanjanaboos6Pasit Pakawatpanurut7Department of Chemistry and Center of Sustainable Energy and Green Materials, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, ThailandDepartment of Chemistry and Center of Sustainable Energy and Green Materials, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, ThailandDepartment of Chemistry and Center of Sustainable Energy and Green Materials, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, ThailandDepartment of Chemistry and Center of Sustainable Energy and Green Materials, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, ThailandDepartment of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandDepartment of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandCenter of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; School of Materials Science and Innovation, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, ThailandDepartment of Chemistry and Center of Sustainable Energy and Green Materials, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Corresponding author.While carbon electrodes offer a cost-effective option for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), their efficiency is often compromised by the insulating polymer binders required. Addressing this limitation, we demonstrate a polymer binder-free electrode using pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene, applied directly onto the perovskite via a simple solution-processing technique. A major obstacle emerged: the direct interface between untreated, hydrophilic Ti3C2Tx and the perovskite proved unstable, causing rapid degradation. We resolved this critical issue by introducing a novel methylammonium iodide (MAI) surface treatment for Ti3C2Tx prior to deposition. This passivation strategy proved essential, stabilizing the interface by neutralizing reactive surface groups. PSCs utilizing these MAI-treated, binder-free Ti3C2Tx electrodes achieved 13.8 % power conversion efficiency, substantially exceeding carbon controls (10.7 %), primarily due to a significantly enhanced fill factor (75.2 % vs 58.2 %) and low sheet resistance. Furthermore, demonstrating practical potential, these MXene electrodes maintain performance better than carbon when the active area is scaled up. Although encapsulation is required to protect the hydrophilic MXene and ensure long-term stability (>360 h) in ambient conditions, this work charts an effective course for developing highly conductive, scalable, binder-free electrodes for advanced PSCs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666523925001114Perovskite solar cellsMXenesTi3C2TxPolymer binder-freeMethylammonium treatment
spellingShingle Harit Chunlim
Manopat Depijan
Kasempong Srisawad
Tanawut Meekati
Duangmanee Wongratanaphisan
Pipat Ruankham
Pongsakorn Kanjanaboos
Pasit Pakawatpanurut
Solution-processed, binder-free pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes enabled by MAI passivation for high-performance, scalable perovskite solar cells
Applied Surface Science Advances
Perovskite solar cells
MXenes
Ti3C2Tx
Polymer binder-free
Methylammonium treatment
title Solution-processed, binder-free pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes enabled by MAI passivation for high-performance, scalable perovskite solar cells
title_full Solution-processed, binder-free pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes enabled by MAI passivation for high-performance, scalable perovskite solar cells
title_fullStr Solution-processed, binder-free pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes enabled by MAI passivation for high-performance, scalable perovskite solar cells
title_full_unstemmed Solution-processed, binder-free pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes enabled by MAI passivation for high-performance, scalable perovskite solar cells
title_short Solution-processed, binder-free pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes enabled by MAI passivation for high-performance, scalable perovskite solar cells
title_sort solution processed binder free pristine ti3c2tx mxene electrodes enabled by mai passivation for high performance scalable perovskite solar cells
topic Perovskite solar cells
MXenes
Ti3C2Tx
Polymer binder-free
Methylammonium treatment
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666523925001114
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