The impact of C60-self-assembled monolayer electron-transport layers in negative–intrinsic–positive perovskite solar cells

We investigate the impact of employing fullerene self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) in conjunction with SnO2 electron-transport layers (ETLs) in negative–intrinsic–positive (n–i–p) perovskite solar cells. We compare the efficacy of the fullerene-SAM surface-binding group—carboxylic or phosphonic acid—on the passivation, charge transport, and energetics of the modified-SnO2 surface. Planar n–i–p perovskite solar cells with these SAM-modified SnO2 exhibit significantly reduced hysteresis, and the steady-state maximum power point tracked efficiencies (ηMPP) of the devices improved from an average of 18.6–20.0% comparing devices with neat SnO2 to the C60-PA SAM inclusion, respectively. While C60-PA SAM improved the initial solar cell efficiency, this benefit was not maintained during light exposure at elevated temperatures as the fullerene SAM weakened adhesion at the perovskite/metal oxide interface in the aged devices. These results highlight the importance of improving the mechanical robustness of perovskite/charge-transport layer interfaces under operational aging conditions.