Green Anisole as Antisolvent in Planar Triple-Cation Perovskite Solar Cells with Varying Cesium Concentrations

Vera La Ferrara, Antonella De Maria, Gabriella Rametta

Abstract:

Among the various objectives required to achieve complete commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the use of eco-friendly solvents is a priority in creating devices whose properties are increasingly less affected by the surrounding environment, ensuring greater stability of the initial efficiency. Lately, various eco-friendly antisolvents have emerged as potential alternatives to hazardous chlorobenzene. We explored the potential substitution of toxic chlorobenzene (CB) with a safer alternative, anisole, in the fabrication of planar triple-cation perovskite solar cells using tin dioxide as an electron transport material and SpiroMeOTAD as hole transport material. Anisole (ANI) was effective in achieving functional perovskite solar cells comparable to those obtained with CB. Notably, the devices with anisole as an antisolvent exhibited lower hysteresis, maintaining 80% of the initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) value over 90 days storage. The champion device, 10% CsI and anisole as antisolvent, showed a starting PCE of 20.2%. We also varied the cesium concentration in the triple-cation precursor, which is known to enhance the stability. Perovskite devices, even though manufactured in a N2-filled glove box, were influenced by environmental conditions when they were electrically characterized in ambient air with more than 40% of relative humidity. A higher Cs concentration yielded more stable unencapsulated PSCs, which were less susceptible to fluctuating temperature and humidity. Moreover, we have stated that anisole can be used as an antisolvent because it is able to ensure a good growth of the perovskite film and is a sustainable alternative to chlorobenzene.

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Antonella DE MARIA

Gabriella RAMETTA

Vera LA FERRARA