Enhanced efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells using polymer-coated bilayer zinc oxide nanocrystals as the multifunctional electron-transporting layer.

Abstract

A novel polymer-coated ZnO based bilayer electron transporting material is investigated for highly efficiency perovskite solar cells. The bilayer ETM consisting of an upper-layer of ZnO nanosheets and a lower-layer of ZnO nanoparticles demonstrates the averaged power conversion efficiency of 13.11% and a maximum power conversion efficiency of 15.13%, compared to single-layers of nanosheets (power conversion efficiency\u202f=\u202f11.73%) and nanoparticles (power conversion efficiency\u202f=\u202f11.08%) films. A conformal coating of a polymer such as polyethylenimine on the surface of bilayered film leading to a significant boost in power conversion efficiency upto 16.39%, thanks to the reduced work function, rapid electron transport and better perovskite infiltration into the bilayer electron transporting material.