Nonaromatic Green‐Solvent‐Processable, Dopant‐Free, and Lead‐Capturable Hole Transport Polymers in Perovskite Solar Cells with High Efficiency

Abstract

AbstractWith the recent developments in the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), diverse functionalities are necessary for next‐generation charge‐transport layers. Specifically, the hole‐transport layer (HTL) in the various synthesized materials modified with functional groups is explored. A novel donor–acceptor type polymer, alkoxy‐PTEG, composed of benzo[1,2‐b:4,5:b′]dithiophene and tetraethylene glycol (TEG)‐substituted 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole is reported. The alkoxy‐PTEG exhibits high solubility even in nonaromatic solvents, such as 3‐methylcyclohexanone (3‐MC), and can prevent possible lead leakage via chelation. The optical and electronic properties of alkoxy‐PTEG are thoroughly analyzed. Finally, a dopant‐free alkoxy‐PTEG device processed with 3‐MC exhibits 19.9% efficiency and a device with 2‐methyl anisole, which is a reported aromatic food additive, exhibits 21.2% efficiency in a tin oxide planar structure. The PSC device shows 88% stability after 30 d at ambient conditions (40–50% relative humidity and room temperature). In addition, nuclear magnetic resonance reveals that TEG groups can chelate lead ions with moderate strength (Kbinding = 2.76), and this strength is considered to be nondestructive to the perovskite lattice to prevent lead leakage. This is the first report to consider lead leakage and provide solutions to reduce this problem.