Enhanced charge extraction with all-carbon electrodes for inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells

Abstract

Perovskite-structured cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr₃) halide provides new opportunities for promoting the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSC) due to its high carrier mobility and light absorption coefficient as well as remarkable environmental stability at high humidity and high temperatures. Herein, all-carbon electrodes from multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and carbon black (CB) were prepared for all-inorganic CsPbBr₃ PSCs with the configuration of FTO/c-TiO₂/m-TiO₂/CsPbBr₃/carbon. The as-prepared electrodes were free of hole-transporting layers and precious metals. The work function and electrical conductivity of the carbon electrode were tuned by changing the MWCNT/CB ratio to reduce charge recombination at the perovskite/carbon interface. The optimal all-inorganic PSC achieves a maximum power conversion efficiency of 7.62% using the MWCNT (75 wt%)/CB (25 wt%) electrode in comparison with 6.24% for the pure MWCNT-based device. Upon persistent attack by 80% RH in air atmosphere, the solar cell retains 95% of its initial efficiency over 1100 h.