Rational design of Lewis base molecules for stable and efficient inverted perovskite solar cells

Abstract

Lewis base molecules that bind undercoordinated lead atoms at interfaces and grain boundaries (GBs) are known to enhance the durability of metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Using density functional theory calculations, we found that phosphine-containing molecules have the strongest binding energy among members of a library of Lewis base molecules studied herein. Experimentally, we found that the best inverted PSC treated with 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (DPPP), a diphosphine Lewis base that passivates, binds, and bridges interfaces and GBs, retained a power conversion efficiency (PCE) slightly higher than its initial PCE of ~23% after continuous operation under simulated AM1.5 illumination at the maximum power point and at ~40°C for >3500 hours. DPPP-treated devices showed a similar increase in PCE after being kept under open-circuit conditions at 85°C for >1500 hours.