Enhancing the viability of p-i-n perovskite solar cells with printable carbon cathode: Origin of polarity inversion

Englhard J, Dag HU, Peng Z, Barabash A, Zhang H, Zhang J, Tan J, Qiu S, Guo F, Wagner M, Bachmann J, Kasian O, Brabec CJ (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Joule Elsevier

Article Number: 102224

DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102224

Abstract

Printable rear electrodes represent a key enabling technology for the upscaling of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Carbon electrodes are appealing candidates widely employed in n-i-p (so-called “conventional”) architectures, but their integration into p-i-n (so-called “inverted”) architectures is prohibited by interfacial energetic mismatch. We address this challenge by introducing a tin oxide (SnOx) interlayer with desirable mechanical durability and n-doping level. We show in detail how the tailored interlayer converts carbon from a hole-collecting anode to an electron-collecting cathode and how the electron-extraction barrier is minimized, narrowing the efficiency gap between carbon (21.8%) and silver (24.0%) electrodes. The advancement results in a remarkably improved viability of the PSCs: a modest drop in efficiency is outweighed by a 3-fold improvement in projected operational lifetime (>8,000 h) and a 60% reduction in the bill of materials. These results underscore the potential of carbon as a cost-effective alternative to silver in the industrialization of p-i-n PSCs.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jonas Englhard Lehrstuhl für Chemistry of thin film materials Zijian Peng Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Anastasia Barabash Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Shudi Qiu Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Lirong Dong Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Julien Bachmann Lehrstuhl für Chemistry of thin film materials Christoph Brabec

Involved external institutions

Jinan University (JNU) / 暨南大学 CN China (CN) Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Englhard, J., Dag, H.U., Peng, Z., Barabash, A., Zhang, H., Zhang, J.,... Brabec, C.J. (2025). Enhancing the viability of p-i-n perovskite solar cells with printable carbon cathode: Origin of polarity inversion. Joule. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2025.102224

MLA:

Englhard, Jonas, et al. "Enhancing the viability of p-i-n perovskite solar cells with printable carbon cathode: Origin of polarity inversion." Joule (2025).

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