Preliminary exploration of the influence of N+/NHx+ ions/groups bombardment at TiO2 ETLs on performance of MAPbI3 perovskite solar cells

Abstract

The service stability of organic–inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is one of most important factors, which is seriously influenced by the decomposition of perovskite layer. Especially, the decomposition of perovskite layer could deteriorate the interface between perovskite layer and TiO2 electron transport layer (ETL). In this work, TiO2 ETLs are prepared by the sputtering technique and traditional spin-coating technique. Then, TiO2 ETLs are bombarded by N+/NHx+ ions/groups. PSCs with all TiO2 ETLs are prepared and measured. The results show that after bombardment, N+/NHx+ ions/groups could chemically react with Ti/O ions at surface of TiO2 ETLs. As a result, the conduction band minimum and transfer resistance of TiO2 ETLs both deteriorate, which decrease the power conversion efficiency of PSCs seriously. While, because anatase TiO2 (001) crystal face consists of saturated O/Ti ions and displays the highest surface free energy, TiO2 ETLs with anatase (001) preferred orientation displays the optimal restraint on deterioration of power conversion efficiency caused by N+/NHx+ ions/groups bombardment. Based on above results, TiO2 ETLs with anatase (001) preferred orientation should be the optimal one for PSCs, which could improve the service stability obviously.