High performance planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells based on a thin Alq3 cathode buffer layer

Abstract

As a thin cathode buffer layer (CBL) tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline), aluminum (Alq3) is successfully introduced into the planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSC) between the PCBM layer and cathode with a device structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/CH3NH3PbI3(Cl)/PCBM/Alq3/Ag. Due to the as-introduced thin Alq3 CBL, a high performance planar PSC has been achieved with a fill factor (FF) of 72% and maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.22%. The PCE value is approximately 29% higher than that of the reference device without Alq3 CBL. Concerning the results of AC impedance spectra and transient photocurrent measurements, such a remarkable improvement of PCE is mainly attributed to the Alq3-caused better charge-extraction at the cathode, which is induced by reducing charge accumulation between PCBM and Ag.