A low temperature processed fused-ring electron transport material for efficient planar perovskite solar cells

Abstract

A fused-ring electron acceptor based on indacenodithiophene (IDIC) was used to replace TiO₂ and work as an electron transport layer in planar n–i–p perovskite solar cells. IDIC improves perovskite crystallinity and film quality due to its hydrophobicity and incompatible wetting surface. IDIC facilitates electron extraction and transport due to its high mobility and suitable energy levels matched with the perovskite. IDIC reduces charge recombination in the devices due to trap passivation at the perovskite surface. The IDIC-based devices exhibit a champion power conversion efficiency of 19.1%, which is higher than that of TiO₂-based devices (17.4%). Moreover, the device stability is significantly improved by IDIC.