Anchoring ligand engineering enables highly stable MA-free perovskite solar cells with a minimal VOC deficit of 0.32 V

Li C, Vincze A, Park H, Streller F, Götz K, Qiu S, Byun J, Shang Y, Yuan Z, Dong L, Tian J, Peng Z, Liu C, Yang F, Wang Y, Späth A, Osvet A, Forberich K, Heumüller T, Christiansen SH, Halik M, Fink R, Unruh T, Li N, Lüer L, Brabec C (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Energy and Environmental Science Royal Society of Chemistry

Book Volume: 18

Pages Range: 7660 - 7668

Journal Issue: 15

DOI: 10.1039/d5ee03162a

Abstract

Ligand engineering is an effective method to reduce defects in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and to enhance efficiency. Likewise, enhancing device stability through ligand engineering is currently emerging as a key focus to suppress the bidirectional migration of halides and silver ions, which otherwise can cause irreversible chemical corrosion to the electrode and perovskite layer. Here, triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) is demonstrated to improve the long-term operational stability of PSCs when introduced at the interface between the perovskite and the electron transport layer (ETL). TPPO effectively eliminates uncoordinated Pb2+ and thus reduces surface defects. Accordingly, the target solar cell yields a hero power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.01% and a maximum open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.23 V, representing the minimum voltage deficit (0.32 V) reported for methylammonium-free (MA-free) PSCs. Moreover, long-term operational analysis reveals that the bidirectional migration of halides and silver ions is significantly suppressed, resulting in enhanced device stability. TPPO-modified PSCs retain 90% of the initial PCE after 1200 hours of operation in maximum power point tracking. Ligand engineering with TPPO marks a significant advancement in enhancing the stability of PSCs and is fully compatible to upscaling scenarios.

Authors with CRIS profile

Chaohui Li Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Fabian Streller Professur für Physikalische Chemie Klaus Götz Lehrstuhl für Kristallographie und Strukturphysik (ICSP) Shudi Qiu Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Jiwon Byun Professur für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Polymerwerkstoffe) Lirong Dong Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Jingjing Tian Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Zijian Peng Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Chao Liu Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Yanxue Wang Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Andreas Späth Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II Andres Osvet Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Karen Forberich Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Thomas Heumüller Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Rainer Fink Professur für Physikalische Chemie Tobias Unruh Professur für Nanomaterialcharakterisierung (Streumethoden) Larry Lüer Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Christoph Brabec Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET)

Involved external institutions

International Laser Centre Bratislava SI Slovenia (SI) Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme (IKTS) DE Germany (DE) South China University of Technology (SCUT) / 华南理工大学 CN China (CN) Soochow University, Suzhou / 苏州大学 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Li, C., Vincze, A., Park, H., Streller, F., Götz, K., Qiu, S.,... Brabec, C. (2025). Anchoring ligand engineering enables highly stable MA-free perovskite solar cells with a minimal VOC deficit of 0.32 V. Energy and Environmental Science, 18(15), 7660 - 7668. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ee03162a

MLA:

Li, Chaohui, et al. "Anchoring ligand engineering enables highly stable MA-free perovskite solar cells with a minimal VOC deficit of 0.32 V." Energy and Environmental Science 18.15 (2025): 7660 - 7668.

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