Fine structural tuning of diphenylaniline-based dyes for designing semiconductors relevant to dye-sensitized solar cells.

Motivated by recent study on synthesized N, N-diphenylaniline (DPA)-based dyes [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.01.062 ] for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), we theoretically design several dyes and explore their potential for enhancing the efficiency of DSSCs. Our designed dyes are based on the molecular structure of synthesized DPA-azo-A and DPA-azo-N dyes with a donor-π-bridge-acceptor (D-π-A) framework. In this research, we aim to develop the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs by fine-tuning the molecular structure of the synthesized dyes. To this end, we focus on designing dyes by replacing the units of DPA-azo-A and DPA-azo-N with a variety of donor, π-bridge, and acceptor. Hence the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations are done to explore their structure, electronic, optical, charge transport, and photovoltaic properties. Among all newly designed and reference dyes, the D3-azo-N and DPA-π3-N dyes which are designed by substituting the donor (DPA) and π-bridge (azo) units of DPA-azo-N with D3 and π3, respectively exhibit the highest PCE of 45.46% (for D3-azo-N) and 43.20% (for DPA-π3-N) and can be favorable dyes for improving the efficiency of DSSCs. Therefore, the dyes that are designed by substituting the donor and π-bridge units of synthesized dyes have more impact on improving the efficiency of DSSCs than those that involve replacing the acceptor units. Consequently, our theoretical findings will provide valuable insights for the experimentalists to employ these novel effective dyes and boost the performance of DSSCs.

Study on enhancing water stability and efficiency of inverted perovskite solar cells with guanidine iodide.

Non-radiative recombination of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) will increase as a result of the numerous crystallographic defects that the solution-grown perovskite films will cause, particularly at the grain boundary and film surface. As a result, it negatively influences the performance of the device. Consequently, lowering perovskite film defects is a useful strategy for raising the efficiency of PSCs. This study reports a grain regeneration and passivation approach that can decrease the recombination loss of the perovskite layer/charge transfer layer interface and the grain border. Guanidine iodide (GAI) treatment of perovskite films is the means by which this objective is accomplished. Unlike most methods that use GAI to post-treatment the perovskite layer or add GAI into the perovskite precursor solution, this work uses GAI for pre-treatment before spin coating the perovskite layer. It can effectively passivate surface defects and increase the grain size of perovskite films by controlling the crystallization process. The water stability of devices was enhanced, the short-circuit current (Jsc), filling factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs were markedly improved, and non-radiative recombination was successfully reduced. The best efficiency of PSCs was 20.56% after the additional GAI treatment was applied to the perovskite layer, an 11.9% increase over the efficiency of the control device without GAI treatment. This method has the advantage of being simple and straightforward, providing a feasible pathway for the low-cost preparation and commercialization of PSCs.

Realizing Ultrahigh Conversion Efficiency of ≈9.0% in YbCd2Sb2/Mg3Sb2 Zintl Module for Thermoelectric Power Generation.

Recently, YbCd2Sb2-based Zintl compounds have been widely investigated owing to their extraordinary thermoelectric (TE) performance. However, its p orbitals of anions that determined the valence band structure are split due to crystal field splitting that provides a good platform for band manipulation by doping/alloying and, more importantly, the YbCd2Sb2-based device has yet to be reported. In this work, single-phase YbCd1.5Zn0.5Sb2 is successfully obtained through precise chemical composition control. Then, YbMg2Sb2-alloying increases the cationic vacancy defect formation energy and further optimizes carrier concentration. Moreover, the band structure of YbCd1.5Zn0.5Sb2 is subtly manipulated, and the underlying mechanism is experimentally explored. Combined with the reduced lattice thermal conductivity, a high peak ZT value of ∼1.43 at 700 K is obtained for YbCd1.425Zn0.475Mg0.1Sb2. Subsequently, choosing Fe90Sb10 as the diffusion barrier layer and adopting the transient liquid phase bonding technique, for the first time, it is demonstrated that YbCd2Sb2/Mg3(Sb, Bi)2 TE module with an ultrahigh conversion efficiency of ≈9.0% at a heat difference of 430 K. More importantly, this module displays good thermal stability. This work paves the way for YbCd2Sb2 materials and devices in mid-temperature heat recovery.

Aluminum-Doped Indium Oxide Electron Transport Layer Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition: Highly Efficient and Damage-Resistant Interconnection Solution for All-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells with 25.46% Efficiency.

In fabricating high-efficiency all-perovskite tandem solar cells (APTSCs) with a p-i-n configuration, the electron transport layer (ETL) plays a critical role in facilitating the transport of photogenerated electrons from the front cell to the recombination layer and protecting the front cell from damage during rear cell fabrication. This study introduces aluminum-doped In2O3 (AIO) films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) as a promising ETL for high-efficiency APTSCs. ALD-grown AIO films with an optimized Al concentration exhibit superior charge transport characteristics, excellent transparency, and damage-resistant barrier properties against solution infiltration compared with conventional SnO2 ETLs and undoped ALD In2O3. Using an ALD SnO2/3 at.% AIO bilayer as the electron transport layer, an efficiency of 18.33% is achieved from single-junction wide bandgap perovskite solar cells. Furthermore, the use of ALD SnO2/3 at.% AIO ETL enables the reliable fabrication of APTSCs with negligible solution damage to the front cell and minimized power loss. Consequently, APTSC employing the ALD AIO-based ETL exhibit an excellent photoconversion efficiency of 25.46%, outperforming APTSCs with the ALD SnO2 ETL.

Innovative Approaches to Large-Area Perovskite Solar Cell Fabrication Using Slit Coating.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are gaining prominence in the photovoltaic industry due to their exceptional photoelectric performance and low manufacturing costs, achieving a significant power conversion efficiency of 26.4%, which closely rivals that of silicon solar cells. Despite substantial advancements, the effective area of high-efficiency PSCs is typically limited to about 0.1 cm2 in laboratory settings, with efficiency decreasing as the area increases. The limitation poses a major obstacle to commercialization, as large-area, high-quality perovskite films are crucial for commercial applications. This paper reviews current techniques for producing large-area perovskites, focusing on slot-die coating, a method that has attracted attention for its revolutionary potential in PSC manufacturing. Slot-die coating allows for precise control over film thickness and is compatible with roll-to-roll systems, making it suitable for large-scale applications. The paper systematically outlines the characteristics of slot-die coating, along with its advantages and disadvantages in commercial applications, suggests corresponding optimization strategies, and discusses future development directions to enhance the scalability and efficiency of PSCs, paving the way for broader commercial deployment.

Formation of Alloyed Cu2CoxZn1-xSn(S,Se)4 Absorption Layer and Its Application in Solar Cells.

Partial substitution of cations is crucial for suppressing harmful defects in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin-film solar cells. In this study, based on the mixed n-butylammonium and butyrate solution system, the alloyed Cu2CoxZn1-xSn(S,Se)4 phase can be prepared by substituting Zn2+ with Co2+, which can suppress harmful defects and optimize the crystallinity of the Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 absorption layer, and improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of devices. By systematic investigation of the impact of Co content on the performance of devices, the optimal substitution amount of Zn2+ with Co2+ is 0.05. At this time, PCE, the open-circuit voltage (VOC), current density (JSC), and fill factor (FF) of the devices can reach 9.0%, 416 mV, 33.87 mA/cm2, and 64%, respectively. It is the first time that the replacement of Zn2+ with Co2+ is applied to optimize PCE of CZTSSe solar cells. The excellent results also demonstrate that the substitution of Zn2+ with Co2+ can become a new approach for further performance optimization of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells.

Integrated Omnidirectional Design of Non-volatile Solid Additive Enables Binary Organic Solar Cells with Efficiency Exceeding 19.5.

Solid additives have drawn great attention due to their numerous appealing benefits in enhancing the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs). To date, various strategies have been reported for the selection or design of non-volatile solid additives. However, the lack of a general design/evaluation principles for developing non-volatile solid additives often results in individual solid additives offering only one or two efficiency-boosting attributes. In this work, we propose an integrated omnidirectional strategy for designing non-volatile solid additives. By validating the method on the 4,5,9,10-pyrene diimide (PyDI) system, a novel non-volatile solid additive named PyMC5 was designed. PyMC5 is capable of enhancing device performance by establishing synergistic dual charge transfer channels, forming appropriate interactions with active layer materials, reducing non-radiative voltage loss and optimizing film morphology. Notably, the binary device (PM6:L8-BO) treated by PyMC5 achieved a PCE over 19.5%, ranking among the highest reported to date. In addition, the integration of PyMC5 mitigated the degradation process of the devices under photo- and thermal-stress conditions. This work demonstrates an efficient integrated omnidirectional approach for designing non-volatile solid additives, offering a promising avenue for further advancements in OSC development.

Tetrahydrofuran Processable Organic Solar Cells with 19.45% Efficiency Realized by Introducing High Molecular Dipole Unit Into the Terpolymer.

Developing organic solar cells (OSCs) processable with halogen-free, non-aromatic solvents is crucial for practical applications, yet challenging due to the limited solubility of most photoactive materials. This study introduces high-performance terpolymers processable in tetrahydrofuran (THF) by incorporating dithienophthalimide (DPI) into the PM6 backbone. DPI extends the absorption band, lowers HOMO levels, and improves THF solubility and film crystallinity through its large dipole moment effect. Optimal PBD-10:L8-BO devices processed with THF achieved a competitive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.79%, approaching chloroform-processed devices (19.04%). By introducing PBTz-F as a second donor, ternary OSCs reached an impressive 19.45% PCE when processed with THF. This improvement stems from enhanced photon generation, improved morphology, better charge transport, longer exciton lifetimes, efficient charge dissociation and collection, and suppressed recombination. These PCEs of 18.79% and 19.45% for binary and ternary blend OSCs, respectively, represent the highest reported efficiencies for OSCs processed with halogen-free, non-aromatic solvents. This work demonstrates significant progress in eco-friendly OSC fabrication, paving the way for more sustainable and commercially viable organic photovoltaic technologies.

Non-fused nonfullerene acceptors with asymmetric benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b', 6,5-b"]trithiophene (BTT) central donor core and different acceptor terminal units for organic solar cells.

Here in, we have designed two new unfused non-fullerene small molecules based on asymmetric benzo[1,2-b:3.4-b', 6,5-b"]trithiophene (BTT) central donor core and different terminal units, i.e. 2-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ylidene)malononitrile (NFA-4) and 1,3-diethyl-2-thioxodi hydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione (NFA-5) and their optical and electrochemical properties were investigated. Employing a wide band-gap copolymer D18, the binary D18: NFA-4 and D18:NFA-5 bulk heterojunction-based organic solar cells realized an overall power conversion efficiency of about 17.07% and 11.27 %, respectively. The higher value of power conversion efficiency for the NFA-4-based organic solar cells, as compared to the NFA-5 counterpart, is attributed to the enhanced values of short circuit current, open circuit voltage, and fill factor. After the incorporation of NFA-5 into the binary bulk heterojunction D18:NFA-4, the ternary organic solar cells attained a power conversion efficiency of 18.05 %, which is higher than that for the binary counterparts and attributed to the increased values of short circuit current, fill factor, and open circuit voltage. The increased value of short circuit current is associated with the effective utilization of excitons through the energy transfer from the NFA-5 to NFA-4 as the NFA-4 exhibits a more significant dipole moment than the NFA-5 and is effectively dissociated into a free charge carrier.

Enhancing energy conversion efficiency of electromagnetic repulsion mechanisms through resistance coefficient optimization model.

This study investigates methods to enhance the energy conversion efficiency of electromagnetic repulsion mechanisms. Initially, a model considering the influence of the resistance coefficient on electromagnetic repulsion mechanisms is developed based on electromagnetic principles. Sensitivity analysis of the resistance coefficient is conducted to elucidate its role in energy conversion efficiency. Subsequently, finite element analysis techniques are applied to simulate electromagnetic repulsion mechanisms across varying resistance coefficients to determine the optimal value. Experimental validation of theoretical models and numerical simulation results is then performed, with precise adjustments made to the resistance coefficient during experiments, and energy conversion efficiency accurately measured under diverse conditions. The results indicate a significant improvement in energy conversion efficiency following resistance coefficient optimization. Numerical simulations reveal that setting the resistance coefficient to 0.85Ω yields optimal energy conversion efficiency, with a 23.5% enhancement over the pre-optimized state. Experimental validation corroborates these findings, demonstrating an average 22% increase in energy conversion efficiency compared to the unoptimized state. Comparative analysis with related studies demonstrates an average improvement of 23.5% in energy conversion efficiency, with the maximum enhancement reaching 25.0%. This underscores the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed optimization model. This discovery offers new avenues for designing and enhancing electromagnetic repulsion mechanisms and presents opportunities for improving energy efficiency and performance in associated applications.

Tandem dye-sensitized solar cells achieve 12.89% efficiency using novel organic sensitizers.

This study presents a significant advancement in tandem dye-sensitized solar cells (T-DSSCs) through the strategic synthesis of novel triazatruxene (TAT) sensitizers MS-1 and MS-2. These organic sensitizers demonstrate exceptional light-harvesting capacity and overall performance, pushing the boundaries of power conversion efficiency (PCE) in DSSCs. The MS-1-based DSSCs achieved an impressive PCE of 12.81%, while MS-2 sensitizers reached a notable 10.92%. These efficiencies represent significant improvements over the conventional N719 dye (7.60%), demonstrating the potential of metal-free organic sensitizers in DSSC technology. The key to these noteworthy results lies in the molecular design of the organic sensitizers. The triazatruxene donor segment in the MS-1 and MS-2 dyes, featuring a rigid structure and efficient intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), proved to be a game-changer for photovoltaic properties. Building on these results, we explored an innovative parallel tandem cell (PT-DSSC) configuration. By connecting separate cells containing N719 and MS-1 sensitizers, we achieved a record efficiency of 12.89% with enhanced short-circuit current density (JSC) and open-circuit voltage (VOC)compared to single-dye cells. This study highlights the potential of molecular engineering in organic sensitizers and device optimization to enhance DSSC performance, paving the way for further advancements in solar cell technology.

Prediction of power conversion efficiency parameter of inverted organic solar cells using artificial intelligence techniques.

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are at the forefront of sustainable energy generation due to their lightness, flexibility, and low production costs. These characteristics make OPVs a promising solution for achieving sustainable development goals. However, predicting their lifetime remains challenging task due to complex interactions between internal factors such as material degradation, interface stability, and morphological changes, and external factors like environmental conditions, mechanical stress, and encapsulation quality. In this study, we propose a machine learning-based technique to predict the degradation over time of OPVs. Specifically, we employ multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks to predict the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of inverted organic solar cells (iOSCs) made from the blend PTB7-Th:PC70BM, with PFN as the electron transport layer (ETL), fabricated under an N2 environment. We evaluate the performance of the proposed technique using several statistical metrics, including mean squared error (MSE), root mean squared error (rMSE), relative squared error (RSE), relative absolute error (RAE), and the correlation coefficient (R). The results demonstrate the high accuracy of our proposed technique, evidenced by the minimal error between predicted and experimentally measured PCE values: 0.0325 for RSE, 0.0729 for RAE, 0.2223 for rMSE, and 0.0541 for MSE using the LSTM model. These findings highlight the potential of proposed models in accurately predicting the performance of OPVs, thus contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy technologies.

Investigation on the reduction in unburned ammonia and nitrogen oxide emissions from ammonia direct injection SI engine by using SCR after-treatment system.

Currently generated nitrogen oxides (NOx) and unburned ammonia (NH3) can be converted into nitrogen and moisture that are harmless to the human body and environment using selective catalytic reduction (SCR). The concentrations of NOx and unburned NH3 emitted from the ammonia combustion engines are significantly higher than those emitted by engines using existing hydrocarbon fuels. In this study, ammonia, a representative carbon-free fuel, was used in spark ignition engines for existing passenger vehicles to identify the trends in exhaust gases emitted from engines and conduct experiments on after-treatment strategies to reduce NOx and unburned NH3. The addition of oxygen significantly maximized the conversion efficiency of the SCR after-treatment system by changing the concentration of both NOx and NH3 in the exhaust gas.

Effects of brewery by-products based silage on productive performance of crossbred dairy cows.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of an increasing levels of brewery by-products based silage on productive performances of 3/4 Friesian x Boran mid-lactating cows. Experimental cows had similar in initial milk yield (11.7 ± 1.0), average days in milk (81.7 ± 6.1) and live weight (LW, 430.7 ± 40.3 kg) but different in parities (2-5).The dietary treatments were arranged randomly in 4 × 4 Latin Square Design that included ad libitum natural pasture hay feeding for all treatments as a roughage source plus a commercial dairy concentrate mix supplemented at 0.5 kg DM (dry matter)/liter of milk produced/day for cows in the control group (T1) and 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 kg DM of brewery by-products based silage per liter of milk yield/cow/day for cows in T2, T3 and T4 groups, respectively. The study revealed that the daily milk yield of experimental cows was influenced by dietary treatments with relatively higher daily milk yield being recorded (P < 0.05) for cows in the T4 (13.9 l) followed by T3 (13.8 l). Milk composition of cows remained unchanged (P > 0.05) except for fat percentage of the milk that showed a declining trend (P < 0.05) with incremental inclusion levels of brewery by-products based silages. The highest net income (NI, 437.9 Eth. Birr) and marginal rate of return (MRR, 800.7%) was obtained for cows receiving brewery by-products based silage at the rate of 0.7 kg/liter of milk yield as compared to cows in the other treatment groups. Further study is required on the long term effect of brewery by-products based silage supplementation on productive, reproductive performance, and milk microbial qualities.

Progress of Hole-Transport Layers in Mixed Sn-Pb Perovskite Solar Cells.

Hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have rapidly emerged as a promising photovoltaic technology, with record efficiencies surpassing 26%, approaching the theoretical Shockley-Queisser limit. The advent of all-perovskite tandem solar cells (APTSCs), integrating Pb-based wide-bandgap (WBG) with mixed Sn-Pb narrow-bandgap (NBG) perovskites, presents a compelling pathway to surpass this limit. Despite recent innovations in hole transport layers (HTLs) that have significantly improved the efficiency and stability of lead-based PSCs, an effective HTL tailored for Sn-Pb NBG PSCs remains an unmet need. This review highlights the essential role of HTLs in enhancing the performance of Sn-Pb PSCs, focusing on their ability to mitigate non-radiative recombination and optimize the buried interface, thereby improving film quality. The distinct attributes of Sn-Pb perovskites, such as their lower energy levels and accelerated crystallization rates, necessitate HTLs with specialized properties. In this study, the latest advancements in HTLs are systematically examined for Sn-Pb PSCs, encompassing organic, self-assembled monolayer (SAM), inorganic materials, and HTL-free designs. The review critically assesses the inherent limitations of each HTL category, and finally proposes strategies to surmount these obstacles to reach higher device performance.

Trapping Ions to Enhance High-Field Energy Harvesting Performance by Filling Polar Macromolecular Dielectrics.

In the quest for sustainable and renewable energy sources, researchers and engineers have explored innovative technologies to harvest energy from various environmental sources. Dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) with high energy harvesting performance have been proven to be promising energy collectors, but achieving a high dielectric constant (ε') and low electrical conductivity (EC) under high electric fields of dielectric elastomer (DE) simultaneously is a struggle, which poses significant challenges. In this study, high-content carboxyl group-grafted liquid polybutadiene (HCPB) is synthesized and then adopted as an organic dielectric filler to blend and cocross-link with a butadiene rubber (BR) matrix to prepare DE composites with high energy harvesting performance. The introduction of carboxyl groups enhances polarization while trapping free Al3+ in the matrix, which revolutionarily achieves a significant increase in ε' under extremely low EC. Ultimately, the contradiction between increased ε' and decreased EC under high electric fields is reconciled, resulting in a 30 HCPB/BR composite with high energy density (w = 91.9 mJ/cm3) and fine power conversion efficiency (PCE = 24.1%). This advancement paves the way for the development of HCPB/BR composite-based DEGs with enhanced ε' and energy harvesting performance.

Single Layer of Crown Ether Enables Efficient, Stable, and Pb Leakage-Free Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

Significant challenges in ensuring long-term stability, addressing environmental safety issues, and improving efficiency have hindered the commercialization of inverted Pb-based halide perovskite solar cells (PeSCs). One reasonable approach to addressing these issues is to place an effective buffer layer between the perovskite active layer and the electrode. In this study, we demonstrate the use of crown ether, di-tert-butyl dibenzo-18-crown-6, as a single buffer layer to improve the efficiency, long-term stability, and environmental safety of PeSCs for the first time. The crown ether buffer layer suppressed Ag diffusion from the Ag metal electrodes, thereby improving the performance and lifetime of the device. In addition, it effectively captures Pb ions that may leak into the environment during the whole lifetime of devices, thereby enhancing the environmental safety of PeSCs. Furthermore, PeSCs incorporating crown ethers as buffer layers demonstrated enhanced stability in a nitrogen atmosphere and achieved a high power conversion efficiency of 22.8%. Consequently, this crown ether buffer layer offers an effective and straightforward strategy capable of achieving efficient, stable, and environmentally safe PeSCs.

Engineering Ag-Decorated Graphene Oxide Nano-Photothermal Platforms with Enhanced Antibacterial Properties for Promoting Infectious Wound Healing.

Introduction: Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles have emerged as a compelling photothermal agent (PHTA) in the realm of photothermal antibacterial therapy, owing to their cost-effectiveness, facile synthesis, and remarkable photostability. Nevertheless, the therapeutic efficacy of GO nanoparticles is commonly hindered by their inherent drawback of low photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE). Methods: Herein, we engineer the Ag/GO-GelMA platform by growing the Ag on the surface of GO and encapsulating the Ag/GO nanoparticles into the GelMA hydrogels. Results: The resulting Ag/GO-GelMA platform demonstrates a significantly enhanced PCE (47.6%), surpassing that of pure GO (11.8%) by more than fourfold. As expected, the Ag/GO-GelMA platform, which was designed to integrate the benefits of Ag/GO nanoparticles (high PCE) and hydrogel (slowly releasing Ag+ to exert an inherent antibacterial effect), has been shown to exhibit exceptional antibacterial efficacy. Furthermore, transcriptome analyses demonstrated that the Ag/GO-GelMA platform could significantly down-regulate pathways linked to inflammation (the MAPK and PI3K-Akt pathways) and had the ability to promote cell migration. Discussion: Taken together, this study presents the design of a potent photothermal antibacterial platform (Ag/GO-GelMA) aimed at enhancing the healing of infectious wounds. The platform utilizes a handy method to enhance the PCE of GO, thereby making notable progress in the utilization of GO nano-PHTAs.

The Perovskite Optoelectronic Devices - A Look at the Future.

The perovskite materials are broadly incorporated into optoelectronic devices due to a number of advantages. Their rapid technological progress is related to the relatively simple fabrication process, low production cost and high efficiency. Significant improvement is made in the light emitting, detection performance and device design especially operating in the visible and near-infrared regions. This review presents the status and possible future development of the perovskite devices such as solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes. The fundamental properties of perovskite materials related to their effective device applications are summarized. Since the development of the perovskite technology is mainly driven by the revolutionary evolution of the semiconductor perovskite solar cell as a robust candidate for next-generation solar energy harvesting, this topic is considered first. The device engineering of various perovskite photodetector structures, including perovskite quantum dot photodetectors, is then discussed in detail. Their performance is compared with the current commercial photodetectors available on the global market together with their challenges. Finally, the considerable progress in the fabrication of the perovskite light-emitting diodes with external quantum efficiency exceeding 20% is presented. The paper is completed in an attempt to determine the development of perovskite optoelectronic devices in the future.

Towards High-Performance Inverted Mesoporous Perovskite Solar Cell by Using Bathocuproine (BCP).

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered the most promising photovoltaic devices to replace silicon-based solar cells because of their low preparation cost and high photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). Reducing defects in perovskite films is an effective means to improve the efficiency of PSCs. In this paper, a lead chelator was selected and mixed into hole transport layers (HTLs) to design and prepare mesoporous PSCs with the structure of ITO/PTAA(BCP)/Al2O3/PVK/PCBM/BCP/Ag, and its modification effect on the buried interface at the bottom of the perovskite layer in the mesoporous structure was explored. The experimental results show that in the presence of mesoporous alumina, the lead chelator can still play a role in modifying the bottom of the perovskite film. The use of lead chelator as passivation material added to the HTL can effectively reduce the residue of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and decrease the defects at the bottom of the perovskite film, which dramatically improves the device performance. The PCE of the device is increased from 18.03% to 20.78%, which is an increase of 15%. The work in this paper provides an effective method to enhance the performance of PSCs.