Phase-Pure Quasi-2D Perovskite by Protonation of Neutral Amine

Phase control of low-dimensional metal-halide perovskites (LDPs) greatly affects their optoelectronic properties, and phase-pure LDPs are desirable to achieve efficient perovskite optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and light-emitting diodes. Herein, we introduce a method to obtain phase-pure LDP by using a neutral amine, cyclohexylmethyl amine (CHMA). The incorporation of CHMA into a formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr3) precursor solution leads to the protonation of the amine that allows the phase transition of 3D FAPbBr3 to phase-pure quasi-2D perovskite (n = 2). For comparison, cyclohexylmethylammonium bromide (CHMABr), which is a conventional form of ammonium halide salt with the same organic moiety to the amine, is used, which resulted in a 2D perovskite (n = 1). The perovskite films fabricated by the two different methodologies are characterized. This study paves the way for further research on the realization of phase-pure perovskites and their relevant optoelectronic devices

Ultrathin Organic Solar Cells with Graphene Doped by Ferroelectric Polarization

Graphene has been employed as transparent electrodes in organic solar cells (OSCs) because of its good physical and optical properties. However, the electrical conductivity of graphene films synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is still inferior to that of conventional indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes of comparable transparency, resulting in a lower performance of OSCs. Here, we report an effective method to improve the performance and long-term stability of graphene-based OSCs using electrostatically doped graphene films via a ferroelectric polymer. The sheet resistance of electrostatically doped few layer graphene films was reduced to ∼70 Ω/sq at 87% optical transmittance. Such graphene-based OSCs exhibit an efficiency of 2.07% with a superior stability when compared to chemically doped graphene-based OSCs. Furthermore, OSCs constructed on ultrathin ferroelectric film as a substrate of only a few micrometers show extremely good mechanical flexibility and durability and can be rolled up into a cylinder with 7 mm diameter

Solution-Processed n‑Type Graphene Doping for Cathode in Inverted Polymer Light-Emitting Diodes

n-Type doping with (4-(1,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)­phenyl) dimethylamine (N-DMBI) reduces a work function (WF) of graphene by ∼0.45 eV without significant reduction of optical transmittance. Solution process of N-DMBI on graphene provides effective n-type doping effect and air-stability at the same time. Although neutral N-DMBI act as an electron receptor leaving the graphene p-doped, radical N-DMBI acts as an electron donator leaving the graphene n-doped, which is demonstrated by density functional theory. We also verify the suitability of N-DMBI-doped n-type graphene for use as a cathode in inverted polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) by using various analytical methods. Inverted PLEDs using a graphene cathode doped with N-DMBI radical showed dramatically improved device efficiency (∼13.8 cd/A) than did inverted PLEDs with pristine graphene (∼2.74 cd/A). N-DMBI-doped graphene can provide a practical way to produce graphene cathodes with low WF in various organic optoelectronics

Doped but Stable: Spirobisacridine Hole Transporting Materials for Hysteresis-Free and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

Four spirobisacridine (SBA) hole-transporting materials were synthesized and employed in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The molecules bear electronically inert alkyl chains of different length and bulkiness, attached to in-plane N atoms of nearly orthogonal spiro-connected acridines. Di-p-methoxyphenylamine (DMPA) substituents tailored to the central SBA-platform define electronic properties of the materials mimicking the structure of the benchmark 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis­(N,N-di-4-methoxyphenylamino)-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-MeOTAD), while the alkyl pending groups affect molecular packing in thin films and affect the long-term performance of PSCs. Devices with SBA-based hole transporting layers (HTL) attain efficiencies on par with spiro-MeOTAD. More importantly, solar cells with the new HTMs are hysteresis-free and demonstrate good operational stability, despite being doped as spiro-MeOTAD. The best performing MeSBA-DMPA retained 88% of the initial efficiency after a 1000 h aging test under constant illumination. The results clearly demonstrate that SBA-based compounds are potent candidates for a design of new HTMs for PSCs with improved longevity

Doped but Stable: Spirobisacridine Hole Transporting Materials for Hysteresis-Free and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

Four spirobisacridine (SBA) hole-transporting materials were synthesized and employed in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The molecules bear electronically inert alkyl chains of different length and bulkiness, attached to in-plane N atoms of nearly orthogonal spiro-connected acridines. Di-p-methoxyphenylamine (DMPA) substituents tailored to the central SBA-platform define electronic properties of the materials mimicking the structure of the benchmark 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis­(N,N-di-4-methoxyphenylamino)-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-MeOTAD), while the alkyl pending groups affect molecular packing in thin films and affect the long-term performance of PSCs. Devices with SBA-based hole transporting layers (HTL) attain efficiencies on par with spiro-MeOTAD. More importantly, solar cells with the new HTMs are hysteresis-free and demonstrate good operational stability, despite being doped as spiro-MeOTAD. The best performing MeSBA-DMPA retained 88% of the initial efficiency after a 1000 h aging test under constant illumination. The results clearly demonstrate that SBA-based compounds are potent candidates for a design of new HTMs for PSCs with improved longevity