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Influence of SCN− moiety on CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite film properties and the performance of carbon-based hole-transport-layer-free perovskite solar cells

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Abstract

CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite films were prepared via a hot-casting method using six different CH3NH3I, PbI2 and Pb(SCN)2 solutions. Surface morphology of perovskite films with low SCN− dopant levels (0.0625 M and 0.125 M Pb(SCN)2) showed smooth surfaces and large grain sizes. However, with the high SCN− dopant levels (0.1875 M and 0.25 M Pb(SCN)2), rough surfaces were produced with pinholes. The crystal of pure CH3NH3PbI3 (0 M Pb(SCN)2) film is a tetragonal perovskite structure. XRD spectra of all five Pb(SCN)2 added films show the present of CH3NH3PbI3 films and the additional peak at 12.66°. Rietveld refinement analysis reveals that the Pb(SCN)2 addition causes the second phase PbI2 formation along with the tetragonal MAPbI3 perovskite film rather than the CH3NH3Pb(SCN)xI3-x perovskite formation. The carbon-based hole-transport-layer (HTL)-free perovskite (from 0.0625 M Pb(SCN)2 dopant) solar cell is the optimal ratio in generating a promising cell efficiency, 6.34%, with a good efficiency retention of 79.43% after 30 days of testing in comparison to a pure CH3NH3PbI3 (0 M Pb(SCN)2 dopant) perovskite solar cell with an efficiency retention of only 26.92%. The great stability of the Pb(SCN)2 added perovskite solar cells is attributed to the PbI2 layer covered MAPbI3 grains blocking oxygen and/or water molecules from degrading MAPbI3 perovskite.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Research Network NANOTEC (RNN) program of the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), NSTDA, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) and Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and by National Research Council of Thailand and Srinakharinwirot University (Contract No. 028/2564), and by the Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics (ThEP), and by Research and Graduate Studies, Khon Kaen University, and by the NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (Grant No. B05F640110).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand

    Primprapha Prasan, Anusit Thongnum & Samuk Pimanpang

  2. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, 10520, Thailand

    Namfon Aunping

  3. Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand

    Narong Chanlek

  4. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Pantiwa Kumlangwan, Madsakorn Towannang, Pawinee Klangtakai, Pornjuk Srepusharawoot, Wirat Jarernboon & Vittaya Amornkitbamrung

  5. Institute of Nanomaterials Research and Innovation for Energy (IN-RIE), Research Network of NANOTEC-KKU (RNN), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Pawinee Klangtakai, Pornjuk Srepusharawoot, Wirat Jarernboon, Samuk Pimanpang & Vittaya Amornkitbamrung

  6. Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics (ThEP), Chiang Mai University, P.O. Box 70, Chiang Mai, 50202, Thailand

    Pawinee Klangtakai, Pornjuk Srepusharawoot, Wirat Jarernboon, Samuk Pimanpang & Vittaya Amornkitbamrung

  7. National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology (NSTDA), Khlong Luang, 12120, Pathumthani, Thailand

    Pisist Kumnorkaew

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  1. Primprapha Prasan
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Contributions

PP—Performing experiment, analyzing data, writing manuscript, revising manuscript. NA—Performing experiment. NC—Performing experiment, analyzing data. PK—Performing experiment. MT—Performing experiment. PK—Writing manuscript. PS—Computer simulation, modifying manuscript. AT—Modifying manuscript. PK—Modifying manuscript. WJ—Modifying manuscript. SP—Suggesting research topic, analyzing data, writing manuscript, revising manuscript. VA—Modifying manuscript.

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Correspondence to Pawinee Klangtakai or Samuk Pimanpang.

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Prasan, P., Aunping, N., Chanlek, N. et al. Influence of SCN− moiety on CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite film properties and the performance of carbon-based hole-transport-layer-free perovskite solar cells. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 33, 1589–1603 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-07687-4

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