Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of indoor perovskite solar cells primarily by improving the interface quality and optoelectronic properties of the device. Key mechanisms and effects include:
- Interface Defect Passivation: SAMs reduce defect density at the interface between the hole-selective layer (HSL) such as NiOx and the perovskite layer. This passivation diminishes non-radiative recombination pathways, which are major loss channels in perovskite solar cells, thereby boosting both open-circuit voltage and fill factor in the device.
- Improved Perovskite Growth: The presence of SAMs enhances the crystallinity and uniformity of the perovskite layer grown atop them. This leads to better charge carrier transport and collection efficiency within the solar cell.
- Enhanced Optoelectronic Properties: Molecular monolayers, especially those composed of amphiphilic molecules, can create favorable dipole effects and reduce energy losses at the interface by minimizing resistance and mismatches in energy levels, contributing further to efficiency and stability improvements.
- Substantial Efficiency Gains: Empirical results demonstrate that incorporating SAMs can push indoor power conversion efficiencies significantly higher. For example, perovskite solar cells with SAM-modified NiOx have achieved indoor efficiencies exceeding 40% under LED illumination—values notably higher than control devices without SAMs, which achieve efficiencies around 15-20%.
In summary, SAMs serve as an ultra-thin interfacial engineering strategy that mitigates defects, optimizes energy alignment, and enhances perovskite film quality, resulting in remarkable improvements in indoor perovskite solar cell efficiency and performance stability.
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