Effect of Acesulfame Potassium Modified SnO2 Electron Transport Layer on Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells

doi:10.15541/jim20250018

Abstract

Abstract: The oxygen vacancy defects at the surface and grain boundaries of tin dioxide (SnO₂), an electron transport layer (ETL) material for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), can induce non-radiative recombination, thereby limiting further improvements in device efficiency. This study proposes a low-cost and efficient strategy for modifying the ETL using acesulfame potassium (ACE-K). The results demonstrate that the C=O and S=O groups in ACE-K molecules interact with the undercoordinated Sn⁴⁺ on the SnO₂ surface, significantly passivating the oxygen vacancy defects in SnO₂. The electrical conductivity of the film increased from 4.60×10^⁻6 S cm^-1 to 6.23×10^⁻6 S cm^-1. Moreover, ACE-K modification improved the roughness (reduced from 20.6 nm to 14.0 nm) and wettability of the SnO₂ film, providing a better substrate for perovskite film growth. Consequently, the perovskite films grown on this optimized ETL enlarged grain sizes from 970.90 nm to 1071.20 nm and enhanced light absorption capability. Space-charge-limited current (SCLC) measurements revealed that the defect density decreased from 4.84×10¹⁶ cm^-3 to 3.83×10¹⁶ cm^-3, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed a significant suppression of non-radiative recombination during charge carrier transport. Ultimately, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PSCs improved from 19.27% to 21.60%. In addition, unpackaged ACE-K modified PSCs maintain 91.67% of initial PCE after 2160 h stored in N₂, showing excellent long term stablility.

Key words: Tin dioxide, perovskite solar cells, modification, defect passivation, acesulfame potassium

CLC Number:

TM914

HU Qinghao, LIU Xingchong, PENG Yongshan, HOU Mengjun, HE Tanggui, TANG Anmin. Effect of Acesulfame Potassium Modified SnO₂ Electron Transport Layer on Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, DOI: 10.15541/jim20250018.

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Effect of Acesulfame Potassium Modified SnO₂ Electron Transport Layer on Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells

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