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Title: Overcoming Redox Reactions at Perovskite-Nickel Oxide Interfaces to Boost Voltages in Perovskite Solar Cells

Journal Article · · Joule

Nickel oxide (NiOx) hole transport layers (HTLs) are desirable contacts for perovskite photovoltaics because they are low cost, stable, and readily scalable; however, they deliver lower open-circuit voltages (VOCs) compared to organic HTLs. Here, we characterize and mitigate electron transfer-proton transfer reactions between NiOx HTLs and perovskite precursors. Using XPS and UPS characterization, we identify that Ni≥3+ metal cation sites in NiOx thin films act both as Brønsted proton acceptors and Lewis electron acceptors, deprotonating cationic amines and oxidizing iodide species, forming PbI2-xBrx-rich hole extraction barriers at the perovskite-NiOx interface. Titrating reactive Ni≥3+ surface states with excess A-site cation salts during perovskite active layer deposition yielded an increase in VOC values to 1.15 V and power conversion efficiencies of ~20%. This may be a general finding for metal oxide contacts that act as Brønsted and Lewis acid-base reactants toward perovskite precursors, an observation that has also been made recently for TiO2 and SnO2 contacts.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Stanford Univ., CA (United States); Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308; EE0008167; EE0008552; EE0008551
OSTI ID:
1814221
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1648181; OSTI ID: 1660143; OSTI ID: 1671785; OSTI ID: 1894511
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5900-76515; S2542435120302415; PII: S2542435120302415
Journal Information:
Joule, Journal Name: Joule Vol. 4 Journal Issue: 8; ISSN 2542-4351
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 151 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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