Self‐Limiting Ultrathin Heterocycle‐Bridged Interface Enabling Efficient p–i–n PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells
Abstract
ABSTRACT Hole‐transporting self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) have driven rapid efficiency gains in solution‐processed p–i–n solar cells over the past few years. By contrast, while efficient electron extraction is equally crucial for device operation, electron‐transporting SAMs remain scarcely explored, thereby constraining further improvements in device performance. Here, we present an electron‐extraction‐modulating self‐limiting ultrathin molecular layer strategy for PbS quantum dot (QD) solar cells. The designed thiophene‐based molecules feature thiol anchors that coordinate with surface Pb 2 + ions to suppress nonradiative recombination, while their electron‐rich aromatic rings engage in π–π interactions with the top C 60 layer to enhance electron extraction. Critically, their high volatility enables the removal of excess molecules during annealing, yielding a compact, ultrathin molecular modification at the interface. This interface engineering delivers a power conversion efficiency of 14.47% in p–i–n PbS QD solar cells‐the highest value reported to date. These results provide a robust and scalable pathway for applying self‐limiting ultrathin molecular layer as a powerful paradigm for interfacial design.
Article Details
Authors (15)
Leliang Song
State Key Laboratory of Bioinspired Interfacial Materials Science Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu P. R. China
Yu Yin
Institute of Translational Medicine
Kunyuan Lu
State Key Laboratory of Bioinspired Interfacial Materials Science, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu,
Feng Ding
Xin Wen
Zuying Sun
School of Art of Soochow university Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu P. R. China
Yitong Wu
State Key Laboratory of Bioinspired Interfacial Materials Science Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu P. R. China
Xiaobo Ding
School of Environment and Energy Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510006 P.R. China
Lin Yuan
State Key Laboratory of Chemo and Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Can Gao
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Juncheng Zhu
Hefei National Research Center for Physical Science at Microscale
Junwei Shi
Maria Antonietta Loi
Zeke Liu
State Key Laboratory of Bioinspired Interfacial Materials Science, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu,
Wanli Ma