Interface-mediated crystallization enables PEDOT:PSS-free all-perovskite tandems with 29.1% efficiency and enhanced durability
Joule Elsevier (2026) 102501
Authors:
Fengzhu Li, Deng Wang, Jiamin Xu, Yunfan Wang, Wenlin Jiang, Jie Zeng, Mingqian Chen, Manuel Kober-Czerny, Xia Lei, Fion Sze Yan Yeung, Sai-Wing Tsang, Francis R Lin, Hin-Lap Yip, Henry J Snaith, Yen-Hung Lin, Baomin Xu, Alex K-Y Jen
Abstract:
Monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs) offer a route beyond single-junction efficiency limits through band-gap engineering. However, stability is hampered by hygroscopic degradation and phase segregation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), the most common hole-transport material for narrow band-gap subcells. Here, we investigate the interface-mediated crystallization dynamics in mixed tin-lead (Sn-Pb) perovskites through in situ studies. We find that solvent-underlayer synergetic interactions with PEDOT:PSS induce metastable phase segregation during crystallization. Replacing PEDOT:PSS with a phenothiazine-functionalized interface facilitates direct phase transition and achieves preferential (100) orientation, yielding high-quality perovskite films. This enables a single-junction narrow band-gap subcell with 23.2% efficiency. Furthermore, we apply a hybrid interlayer integrating thiol and phosphonic acid anchoring groups on SnO2/Au, achieving a dense interconnecting layer for monolithic all-perovskite TSCs with 29.1% efficiency. The device retains 90% of the initial efficiency over 800 h of maximum power point tracking under simulated 1-sun illumination at 40°C, demonstrating robust operational stability.