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Multilayered Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite hybrids with alternative organic spacers of 4-XC6H4C2H4NH2 (where X = H, Br, Cl) for solar cell applications

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Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) organic–inorganic perovskite hybrid materials with enhanced stability have attracted wide attention in optoelectronic field in recent years. Efforts of exploring new 2D perovskites with various organic or inorganic components have been devoted to further improve their solar cell efficiencies. In this work, three structurally similar spacer cations of phenylethylammonium (PEA), 4-bromophenylethylammonium (BPEA) and 4-chlorophenylethylammonium (CPEA) are selected to prepare multilayered 2D perovskites. It is found that the introduction of halogen atoms in the organic cations positively influences the film quality, light absorption, charge transport, device performance and moisture stability of the resulting perovskites. The (BPEA)2(MA)4Pb5I16 and (CPEA)2(MA)4Pb5I16 perovskites exhibit efficiencies of 7.38% and 10.88%, respectively, which are much higher than that of (PEA)2(MA)4Pb5I16 (3.98%). Owning to the larger size and bigger electronegativity of halogen atom in spacer cations, the PCE of unsealed BPEA- and CPEA-based 2D perovskite devices maintains 73% and 63% of their original efficiency after 720 h exposure to 60% humid air, while the PEA-based 2D device decreases to 52% of its initial PCE. Our work demonstrates new insight to modify the quality and stability of 2D perovskite hybrids, highlighting the validity of molecule design of organic cations in improving the efficiency and stability of 2D perovskite solar cells.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51772228).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, China

    Xiaoyan Gan, Wenhui Zhao, Tianye Xu, Yun Liang & Liling Guo

  2. International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, China

    Hanxing Liu

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  1. Xiaoyan Gan
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  2. Wenhui Zhao
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  3. Tianye Xu
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  4. Yun Liang
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  5. Liling Guo
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Correspondence to Liling Guo.

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Gan, X., Zhao, W., Xu, T. et al. Multilayered Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite hybrids with alternative organic spacers of 4-XC6H4C2H4NH2 (where X = H, Br, Cl) for solar cell applications. J Mater Sci 56, 17167–17177 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-021-06330-1

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