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  4. From Antioxidants to Interface Design: Strategies for Boosting Efficiency in Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

From Antioxidants to Interface Design: Strategies for Boosting Efficiency in Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

File(s)
Chen_cornell_0058O_12513.pdf (1.61 MB)
No Access Until
2026-03-09
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/evfm-vb73
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/120673
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Chen, Taiyi
Abstract

This thesis explores two interfacial strategies to improve the performance of lead-free tin-based perovskite solar cells (TinPSCs). First, bio-inspired antioxidant molecules—adrenaline, 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid (DHCA) and 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-DOPA)—were applied as surface or bulk additives to mitigate Sn²⁺ oxidation and passivate undercoordinated Sn ions. Although these treatments showed partial improvements in stability, their strong reducing nature sometimes led to Sn⁰ formation and crystallization issues, limiting device efficiency. Building on these findings, an alternative interfacial modification approach was developed using 4-fluorophenethylammonium iodide (4FPEAI) deposited onto the PEDOT:PSS layer. The fluorine atom reacts sulfonate atom through hydrogen bonding and induced dipole formed a built-in electric field that enhanced hole extraction and suppressed interfacial charge carrier recombination. Devices treated with 4FPEAI showed improved crystallinity, reduced trap state density, and increased hole mobility. Additionally, incorporation of 2 mol% ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄SCN) into the perovskite precursor further improved the open-circuit voltage (VOC) by modulating crystallization kinetics and enhanced photovoltaic performance with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.47%. Characterization via space-charge-limited current (SCLC), photoluminescence (PL), time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), Raman, and impedance spectroscopy confirmed the combined effects of trap passivation and improved charge transport. Grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) reveals the crystallization mechanism. This work highlights the complementary roles of redox chemistry and interfacial dipole engineering in advancing efficient and stable TinPSCs.

Description
37 pages
Date Issued
2025-08
Committee Chair
Yu, Qiuming
Committee Member
Zhong, Yu
Degree Discipline
Materials Science and Engineering
Degree Name
M.S., Materials Science and Engineering
Degree Level
Master of Science
Type
dissertation or thesis

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