Revolutionary Tin Oxysulfide Boosts Perovskite Solar Cell Efficiency

• Discover how tin oxysulfide (SnSO) is revolutionizing perovskite solar cells, achieving a record 24.5% efficiency while boosting stability and overcoming performance barriers.

Researchers from Henan University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have introduced a novel multifunctional dopant, tin oxysulfide (SnSO), to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By incorporating SnSO into the spiro-OMeTAD layer, they found that it enhances the oxidation of the film, significantly boosts conductivity, and interacts effectively with the 2D perovskite layer. This interaction mitigates the conductivity limitations and helps passivate defects in the perovskite, facilitating better hole transport and reducing charge recombination.

The optimized SnSO doping led to a remarkable photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.5% in the device, while also greatly enhancing stability under various conditions. The study suggests that SnSO not only improves the energy level arrangement at the 2D/3D interface for more efficient carrier transfer but also addresses long-standing challenges in the performance of 2D/3D PSCs.

How does tin oxysulfide enhance performance in perovskite solar cells?

• Enhanced Charge Transport: Tin oxysulfide (SnSO) acts as an efficient dopant, promoting improved hole transport in the spiro-OMeTAD layer of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This enhancement in charge mobility leads to better overall electrical performance.
• Mitigation of Defects: The interaction of SnSO with the perovskite layer helps to passivate defects that would otherwise hinder electrical performance. By reducing these defects, the overall quality and reliability of the solar cells are improved.
• Increased Conductivity: The incorporation of SnSO significantly boosts the conductivity of the spiro-OMeTAD layer. Higher conductivity in this layer allows for better charge collection and reduces energy losses during conversion.
• Optimized Energy Level Alignment: SnSO aids in optimizing the energy levels at the interface between the 2D and 3D perovskite materials. This optimized alignment facilitates more effective carrier transfer, minimizing energy barriers and ensuring that generated carriers can move freely towards the electrodes.
• Improved Stability: Solar cells treated with SnSO have demonstrated enhanced stability under various environmental conditions. This includes resistance to light, moisture, and temperature fluctuations, making them more reliable for long-term applications.
• Reduced Charge Recombination: The dual function of SnSO in promoting effective hole transport while simultaneously passivating defects helps in reducing unwanted charge recombination. Lower charge recombination leads to higher efficiency in converting sunlight into electrical energy.
• Potential for Scalability: The successful application of SnSO as a dopant presents a promising pathway for large-scale manufacturing of high-performance PSCs. Its integration into the existing fabrication processes of solar cells may enhance production efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
• Versatility in Material Mixes: SnSO can be effectively incorporated into various formulations of perovskite materials, allowing for tailored properties that could meet specific application requirements or enhance particular performance metrics.
• Role in Future Research: The findings on SnSO open new avenues for research in the field of perovskite solar cells, encouraging further exploration of multifunctional dopants and their potential interactions with various solar cell architectures to push efficiency boundaries beyond current limits.
• Comparison with Conventional Dopants: Unlike traditional dopants, SnSO has shown to provide a balanced enhancement of electrical properties and structural stability, making it a promising alternative that could supersede existing materials in perovskite solar cell technology.