Triamine-Based Aromatic Cation as a Novel Stabilizer for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Abstract

Operational stability of perovskite solar cells has been a challenge from the beginning of perovskite research. In general, humidity and heat are the most well-known degradation sources for perovskites, requiring ideal design of perovskite chemistry to withstand them. Although triple-cation perovskite (Cs0.05(FA0.85MA0.15)0.95Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3) has been already introduced as the stable perovskite material, the high reactivity of methylammonium and formamidinium in the cation sites demands further modification. Herein, 1,2,4-triazole is suggested as an effective cation solute to improve the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells. 1,2,4-Triazole is an aromatic cation with low dipole moment that is stable under humidity and heat. It also possesses three nitrogen atoms, forming additional hydrogen bonds in the lattice, stabilizing the material. In this study, the solar cell utilizing 1,2,4-triazole alloying achieves a power conversion efficiency of 20.9% with superior stability under extreme condition (85 °C/85% of relative humidity (RH), encapsulated) for 700 h. The 1,2,4-triazole-alloyed perovskite exhibits reduced trap density and film roughness and enhanced carrier lifetime with electrical conductivity, suggesting an ideal perovskite structure for efficient and stable optoelectronic applications.