Thin Films and Solar Cells Based on Semiconducting Two-Dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper (CH3(CH2)3NH3)2(CH3NH3)n−1SnnI3n+1 Perovskites

Abstract

Low electrical resistivity (high dark carrier concentration) of CH3NH3SnI3 often leads to short-circuiting in solar cells, and appropriate thin-film modifications are required to ensure functional devices. The long-term durability of organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells necessitates the protection of perovskite thin films from moisture to prevent material decomposition. Herein, we report that the electrical resistivity and the moisture stability of two-dimensional (2D) Ruddlesden–Popper (CH3(CH2)3NH3)2(CH3NH3)n−1SnnI3n+1 perovskites are considerably improved compared to those of the three-dimensional (3D) CH3NH3SnI3 perovskite and subsequently show the solar cell fabrication using a simple one-step spin-coating method. These 2D perovskites are semiconductors with optical band gaps progressively decreasing from 1.83 eV (n = 1) to 1.20 eV (n = ∞). The n = 3 and n = 4 members with optimal band gaps of 1.50 and 1.42 eV for solar cells, respectively, were thus chosen for in-depth studies. We demonstrate th...