Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Champion PCE of 20.22% achieved for all-MO CTM-based OSCs, representing the highest value to date, validating the effectiveness of homogeneous passivation in enhancing device performance. • • Large-area devices fabricated via ambient blade-coating yield 18.33% PCE (1.44 cm2) and modules reach 16.03% PCE (20.05 cm2), demonstrating scalability with estimated material costs only ~4% of organic CTM counterparts, offering a significant cost advantage for industrial production. • • Devices retain over 80% of initial PCE after 1300 h of maximum power point (MPP) tracking and over 1000 h of thermal annealing at 85°C, indicating superior operational and thermal stability critical for commercial viability. • • The hybrid passivation strategy mitigates surface hydroxyl defects on MOs, reducing charge recombination and photocatalytic degradation, thereby addressing the primary bottleneck limiting MO-based CTM stability and efficiency.
Abstract
Organic solar cells (OSCs) have achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 20% in laboratory-scale devices, yet challenges persist in developing cost-effective charge-transporting materials (CTMs) that ensure high performance and long-term stability. Conventional organic CTMs such as PEDOT:PSS and PDINN suffer from thermal instability due to molecular diffusion and phase segregation. Solution-processed metal oxides (MOs) offer excellent stability and cost-effectiveness but are plagued by surface defects, particularly hydroxyl groups, which act as recombination centers and photocatalytic sites, degrading device interfaces. Here, we develop an organic-inorganic hybrid strategy to homogeneously passivate solution-processible semiconducting MOs. By first synthesizing MOs rich in surface hydroxyl groups and then introducing organic molecules, we achieve chemically homogeneous passivation that mitigates surface defects. This approach enables favorable interfacial energy level alignment, enhanced charge extraction, and tunable surface energy. Employing these passivated MOs as electron transport layers (ZnO) and hole transport layers (NiOx), we achieve a champion PCE of 20.22% for all-MO CTM-based OSCs, the highest reported to date. Scalability is demonstrated via ambient blade-coating, yielding 18.33% PCE for large-area cells (1.44 cm2) and 16.03% for modules (20.05 cm2), with material costs estimated at only 4% of organic counterparts. Furthermore, devices exhibit outstanding stability, retaining over 80% of initial PCE after 1300 h of maximum power point tracking and over 1000 h of thermal annealing at 85°C. This work establishes a new benchmark for cost-effective, high-performance organic photovoltaics.
1. Introduction
Organic solar cells (OSCs) have achieved laboratory-scale power conversion efficiencies exceeding 20%, yet their commercial translation is hindered by the high cost and operational instability of charge-transporting materials (CTMs). Conventional organic CTMs, such as PEDOT:PSS and PDINN, suffer from thermal-induced molecular diffusion and phase segregation, leading to device degradation under operational stress. Solution-processed metal oxides (MOs) offer a promising alternative due to their excellent stability and low material costs, but their inherent surface defects—particularly hydroxyl groups—act as charge recombination centers and photocatalytic sites, causing interfacial degradation and limiting device performance.
This work introduces an organic-inorganic hybrid strategy to homogeneously passivate solution-processible MOs, addressing the critical bottleneck of surface defects. By first synthesizing MOs rich in surface hydroxyl groups and then chemically bonding organic molecules, we achieve uniform passivation that mitigates defect-induced recombination and photocatalytic activity. This approach enables precise tuning of interfacial energy levels and surface energy, facilitating efficient charge extraction. The resulting all-MO CTM-based OSCs achieve a record PCE of 20.22%, with excellent scalability and stability, demonstrating a cost-effective pathway for high-performance organic photovoltaics.
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Xinyu He, Huanxin Ju, Hongzheng Chen, Chang-Zhi Li (2026). Cost-effective organic solar cells consisting of homogeneously passivated metal oxides. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3980-y
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Frequently Asked Questions
What specific surface defects on metal oxides are addressed by the homogeneous passivation strategy, and how does this impact device stability under prolonged operation?
The primary defects are surface hydroxyl groups, which undergo photodissociation and release hydroxides that damage adjacent organic semiconductors, and also act as charge recombination centers. The passivation strategy chemically bonds organic molecules to these hydroxyl groups, reducing defect density. This leads to enhanced stability: devices retain over 80% of initial PCE after 1300 h of MPP tracking and over 1000 h of 85°C annealing, indicating suppressed interfacial degradation.
How does the material cost of the all-MO CTMs compare to conventional organic CTMs, and what are the implications for large-scale manufacturing?
The estimated material costs for the all-MO CTMs are approximately 4% of organic counterparts (PEDOT:PSS and PDINN). This dramatic cost reduction, combined with demonstrated scalability via ambient blade-coating (achieving 18.33% PCE on 1.44 cm2 cells and 16.03% on 20.05 cm2 modules), makes the technology highly attractive for roll-to-roll manufacturing and commercial deployment.
What is the champion power conversion efficiency achieved, and how does it compare to previous all-MO CTM-based OSCs?
The champion PCE is 20.22%, which is the highest value reported to date for all-MO CTM-based OSCs. This represents a significant improvement over prior MO-based devices, which typically lagged behind organic CTM-based counterparts due to interfacial defects.
What are the key factors enabling the high efficiency and stability of the passivated MO CTMs?
The homogeneous passivation of surface hydroxyl groups reduces charge recombination and photocatalytic degradation. Additionally, the organic molecules facilitate favorable interfacial energy level alignment and enhance charge extraction. The tunable surface energy of the MOs also improves contact with the active layer, contributing to the high fill factor and overall performance.
How was the scalability of the fabrication process demonstrated, and what are the implications for industrial production?
Scalability was demonstrated through ambient blade-coating of large-area devices, yielding 18.33% PCE for cells (1.44 cm2) and 16.03% for modules (20.05 cm2). This indicates that the passivation strategy is compatible with high-throughput, roll-to-roll manufacturing processes, and the low material costs further enhance economic viability.
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