Pyrite-Based Bi-Functional Layer for Long-Term Stability and High-Performance of Organo-Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

Organo-lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received great attention because of their optimized optical and electrical properties for solar cell applications. Recently, a dramatic increase in the photovoltaic performance of PSCs with organic hole transport materials (HTMs) has been reported. However, as of now, future commercialization can be hampered because the stability of PSCs with organic HTM has not been guaranteed for long periods under conventional working conditions, including moist conditions. Furthermore, conventional organic HTMs are normally expensive because material synthesis and purification are complicated. It is herein reported, for the first time, octadecylamine-capped pyrite nanoparticles (ODA-FeS₂ NPs) as a bi-functional layer (charge extraction layer and moisture-proof layer) for organo-lead halide PSCs. FeS₂ is a promising candidate for the HTM of PSCs because of its high conductivity and suitable energy levels for hole extraction. A bi-functional layer based on ODA-FeS₂ NPs shows excellent hole transport ability and moisture-proof performance. Through this approach, the best-performing device with ODA-FeS₂ NPs-based bi-functional layer shows a power conversion efficiency of 12.6% and maintains stable photovoltaic performance in 50% relative humidity for 1000 h. As a result, this study has the potential to break through the barriers for the commercialization of PSCs.