Cube-like anatase TiO2 mesocrystals as effective electron-transporting materials toward high-performance perovskite solar cells

Abstract

Electron-transporting materials (ETMs) with higher carrier mobility and a suitable band gap structure play a significant role in determining the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, cube-like mesoporous single-crystal anatase TiO2 (Meso-TiO2) nanoparticles synthesized by using a facile hydrothermal method were utilized as an efficient ETM for PSCs. The superior semiconducting properties of the Meso-TiO2 based ETM enabled the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.05% for a PSC. Moreover, the device retained 80% of its initial PCE after being stored in ambient conditions for 20 days under 25 ± 5% relative humidity. In contrast to the commercial TiO2 ETM, the Meso-TiO2 ETM based PSC showed a distinguished interface with better interfacial conditions and improved carrier extraction originating from the cube-like mesoporous single-crystal anatase TiO2 ETM.