Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Champion PCE of 26.09% for small-area cells and 23.29% for 5 cm × 5 cm mini-modules (aperture 14.4 cm²), demonstrating scalability without severe efficiency loss. • • Encapsulated devices maintain 80% of initial PCE after 1350 h maximum power point tracking under continuous illumination, indicating robust operational stability. • • PBACl incorporation transforms disordered SAM clusters into densely packed uniform vertical adsorption, improving solution spreading and substrate wettability. • • Dual role of PBACl: enhances perovskite film quality and passivates buried interfacial defects, reducing hole extraction barrier and nonradiative recombination.
Abstract
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are effective hole-selective contacts for inverted perovskite solar cells, but scalable deposition on rough substrates is hindered by molecular aggregation, disordered packing, and incomplete adsorption. We propose a hybrid strategy incorporating 4-(Piperidin-4-yl)butanoic acid hydrochloride (PBACl) into the 4PABCz solution during dip-coating. PBACl suppresses aggregation via hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions, yielding homogeneous coverage and improved wettability. The piperidine and carboxyl groups passivate buried interfacial defects through hydrogen bonding and coordination with perovskites. Small-area cells achieve a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.09%, while a 5 cm × 5 cm mini-module (aperture area 14.4 cm²) delivers 23.29% PCE. Encapsulated devices retain 80% of initial PCE after 1350 h maximum power point tracking under continuous illumination. This ion modulation strategy bridges molecular-level interface control with scalable processing, offering a pathway to industrially relevant perovskite photovoltaics.
1. Introduction
Scalable deposition of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on rough transparent conductive oxides remains a critical bottleneck for commercializing inverted perovskite solar cells. Conventional spin-coating fails on large areas due to molecular aggregation and incomplete surface coverage, leading to non-uniform hole extraction and accelerated degradation. The resulting efficiency losses and poor reproducibility have stalled industrial adoption, despite SAMs offering superior interfacial properties compared to traditional transport layers.
This work introduces an ion modulation strategy that integrates 4-(Piperidin-4-yl)butanoic acid hydrochloride (PBACl) into the 4PABCz dip-coating solution. The ionic interactions disrupt molecular clustering, enabling homogeneous monolayer formation on substrates up to 5 cm × 5 cm. Simultaneously, PBACl's functional groups passivate buried interface defects, addressing both scalability and efficiency bottlenecks. The reported 26.09% small-area and 23.29% mini-module efficiencies, coupled with 1350 h operational stability, validate this approach as a practical route for industrial-scale manufacturing.
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GUANG Yalan, YUN Yikai, SHI Zhan, SUN Kexuan, KONG Song, WANG Fei, ZHANG Wenzhe, CUI Limin, JIN Chengkai, XU Chuhang, XUE Bofei, GONG Junbo, HUANG Fuzhi, CHENG Yibing, BU Tongle (2026). Homogeneous Dip-Coating of Ion-Modulated Self-Assembled Monolayers for Large-Area Perovskite Photovoltaics. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-026-4385-1
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mechanism by which PBACl suppresses molecular aggregation of 4PABCz during dip-coating?
PBACl forms strong hydrogen bonds and ionic interactions between its carboxyl/piperidine groups and the phosphonic acid groups of 4PABCz, disrupting intermolecular forces that cause aggregation. This promotes a transition from disordered clusters to a densely packed, uniform vertical adsorption configuration, as evidenced by improved solution spreading and substrate wettability.
How does the PBACl modification affect the buried interface and device performance?
The piperidine and carboxyl groups of PBACl interact with perovskite via hydrogen bonding and coordination, effectively passivating buried interfacial defects. This reduces the hole extraction barrier and minimizes nonradiative recombination, leading to enhanced open-circuit voltage and fill factor. The champion small-area PCE reached 26.09%, and the mini-module achieved 23.29%.
What is the operational stability of the PBACl-modified devices under continuous illumination?
Encapsulated devices maintained 80% of their initial PCE after 1350 hours of maximum power point tracking under continuous light illumination, demonstrating excellent photo-thermal stability. This is critical for commercial viability where long-term durability is required.
Can this dip-coating method be scaled to larger areas beyond 5 cm × 5 cm?
The study demonstrates successful scaling to a 5 cm × 5 cm mini-module with an aperture area of 14.4 cm², achieving 23.29% PCE. The homogeneous coverage and improved wettability suggest potential for further scale-up, but additional engineering may be needed for uniformity on larger substrates.
What are the cost implications of using PBACl in the SAM deposition process?
PBACl is a commercially available, low-cost salt. Its incorporation does not require additional processing steps, as it is added directly to the 4PABCz solution. This maintains the simplicity of dip-coating, which is inherently scalable and cost-effective compared to vacuum-based methods, supporting industrial adoption.
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