Enhancing efficiency of perovskite solar cells from surface passivation of Co2+ doped CuGaO2 nanocrystals

Before completely applying inorganic materials as hole transport materials (HTM) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), modifying devices with inorganic oxides that have the potential as inorganic hole transporters is an effective way to improve device performance and stability. Co 2+ doped CuGaO 2 nanocrystals (Co-CuGaO 2 NCs) with sizes about 20 nm are synthesized by hydrothermal method and used for surface passivation at the interface of perovskite (PVK)/2,2′,7,7′-Tetrakis[ N , N - di (4- methoxyphenyl ) amino ]-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiroOMeTAD). Co-CuGaO 2 NCs have a larger bandgap with lower valance band compared with spiroOMeTAD, which is more beneficial to the conduction of holes and the blocking of electrons. Furthermore, the Co-CuGaO 2 has a lower valance band energy compared with the original CuGaO 2 , which reduces the energy gap between Co-CuGaO 2 and PVK. Co-CuGaO 2 NCs fully cover the upper surface of PVK, which helps prevent direct contact between PVK and oxygen and moisture. The Co-CuGaO 2 NCs surface passivation also gives better hole transport as revealed by the ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), steady-state photoluminescence (PL), and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) data. When the concentration of Co-CuGaO 2 NCs solution is set to 7.5 mg mL −1 , the device exhibits a best PCE of 20.39% and maintains 84.34% of the initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) after stored 30 days under air atmosphere with 15 ± 5% humidity.