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Title: Synthesis and use of a hyper-connecting cross-linking agent in the hole-transporting layer of perovskite solar cells

Journal Article · · Journal of Materials Chemistry. A
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ta05004f· OSTI ID:1579847

Solution-processed organic semiconducting materials feature prominently in modern optoelectronic devices, especially where low-cost and flexibility are specific goals, such as perovskite solar cells. Their intrinsic solubility, poor cohesion and lack of adhesion to underlying substrates, however, curtail their scope of application and durability. To overcome this, a mechanically stiff, light-activated, tetra-azide cross-linking agent, 1,3,5,7-tetrakis-(p-benzylazide)-adamantane (TPBA), has been developed to transform solution processed organic polymers into solvent-resistant and mechanically tough films. The use of 3-azidopropyltrimethoxysilane (AzPTMS) has been developed as a light-activated adhesion promotor, enabling mechanical testing of toughened, cross-linked polymers. Lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI) doped poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine, poly(triaryl amine) (PTAA), a hole-transporting material used in perovskite solar cells, has been selected as a candidate system for demonstrating the utility of TPBA to transform a fragile and highly-soluble hole-transporting organic semiconductor into a mechanically tough and solvent-resistant semiconducting composite. TPBA enables the solvent resistance and mechanical toughness of PTAA to be tuned without compromising the electronic functionality of the semiconducting material. Here, while increasing the fracture toughness of PTAA by over 300%, TPBA cross-linking also enables fabrication of perovskite solar cells with increased photovoltaic efficiencies in n–i–p and p–i–n geometries, and promotes adhesion of the doped polymer to the perovskite layer, mitigating interfacial device failure.

Research Organization:
Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0004946
OSTI ID:
1579847
Journal Information:
Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Vol. 5, Issue 36; ISSN 2050-7488
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 31 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (3)

Influence of Bulky Organo-Ammonium Halide Additive Choice on the Flexibility and Efficiency of Perovskite Light-Emitting Devices journal June 2018
Toward Perovskite Solar Cell Commercialization: A Perspective and Research Roadmap Based on Interfacial Engineering journal June 2018
Rapid Aqueous Spray Fabrication of Robust NiO x : A Simple and Scalable Platform for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells journal March 2019

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