Beyond organic photovoltaics: unlocking the potential of P3HT and its derivatives in perovskite and quantum dot solar cells

Abstract

Poly(3-alkylthiophene)s (P3ATs), particularly poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), have emerged as promising materials for addressing interfacial challenges in perovskite and quantum dot solar cells. This mini review examines their evolution from simple hole transport layers to sophisticated interfacial engineering components through molecular design, multi-stack architectures, and composite strategies. We highlight how P3AT-based approaches mitigate limitations of conventional transport materials while enhancing device stability and performance. Recent progress in surface engineering, dopant-free processing, and blend-based optimization has driven notable performance improvements, yielding power conversion efficiencies above 25% in perovskite solar cells and 14% in quantum dot solar cells through the use of P3AT-based hole transport layers. The compatibility of P3ATs with scalable processing methods, combined with their tunable electronic properties and commercial availability, positions these materials as viable candidates for developing efficient, stable, and manufacturable next-generation photovoltaics. This critical analysis underscores the potential of P3AT-based strategies to overcome key challenges in emerging solar cell technologies.