Tridentate Locking Strategy Enables Multi‐Dimensional Synergy at Buried Interfaces for High Performance Perovskite Solar Cells

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Authors: Yi Zhang, Tao Wang, Yanan Wang, Hao Tan, Gaofang Li, Jiaxuan Tian, Shengping Sun, Luqi Sun, Lanze Xiao, Xiaolin Liu, Jia Lin, Hexing Li
Cited by: 3
References: 55

Abstract

ABSTRACT Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are hindered in both efficiency and commercialization by complex interfacial issues between the tin oxide (SnO 2 ) electron transport layer (ETL) and the perovskite (PVK) layers. Key challenges include interfacial defects, energy level misalignment, and weak interfacial bonding, which lead to non‐radiative recombination and open‐circuit voltage ( V OC ) loss. To overcome these limitations, we propose an innovative tridentate locking strategy that employs N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxyethy)‐2‐aminoethanesulfonic acid (EBS) as an intermediate layer to establish robust tridentate coupling between SnO 2 ETL and PVK layer. The dual hydroxyl groups (─OH) of EBS serve as bridging chelators, forming strong coordination bonds with oxygen vacancies in SnO 2 and the halide ion vacancies in the PVK layer, respectively. Meanwhile, the sulfonic acid group (SO 3 − ) acts as a reinforced driving chelator that passivates uncoordinated Pb 2+ ions within the PVK. This tridentate locking architecture enables synchronous defect passivation, suppresses non‐radiative recombination, enhances ETL conductivity, and optimizes interfacial energy alignment. It also promotes stress redistribution, facilitating the formation of high‐quality PVK films. Consequently, the n‐ i ‐p structured PSCs achieve a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.17%. Moreover, the unencapsulated devices retain 85.4% of initial PCE after 1500 h of maximum power point tracking.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Perovskite Materials and Applications Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Research TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Functional Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
36
Issue
40
Publication date
20 March 2026
Language
EN