Volume 64, Issue 24 e202501267
Research Article

Enhancing Efficiency and Stability of Inverted Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells via Multi-Functionalized Molecular Design

Hongbo Liang

Hongbo Liang

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Optoelectronic Materials and Intelligent Photonic Systems, Shenzhen, 440300 P.R. China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Search for more papers by this author
Wenjing Zhu

Wenjing Zhu

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Search for more papers by this author
Zhichao Lin

Zhichao Lin

College of Material Engineering, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350108 P.R. China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Search for more papers by this author
Bin Du

Bin Du

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, 710048 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Search for more papers by this author
Hao Gu

Corresponding Author

Hao Gu

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author
Tianwen Chen

Tianwen Chen

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Search for more papers by this author
Fenqi Du

Fenqi Du

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Search for more papers by this author
Laju Bu

Laju Bu

School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Search for more papers by this author
Yibo Zhou

Yibo Zhou

State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Search for more papers by this author
Xianqiang Xie

Xianqiang Xie

School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Search for more papers by this author
Yingjie Zhu

Yingjie Zhu

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Search for more papers by this author
Yuexin Lin

Yuexin Lin

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Search for more papers by this author
Wenhan Yang

Wenhan Yang

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Search for more papers by this author
Nan Zhang

Nan Zhang

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

Search for more papers by this author
Liming Ding

Corresponding Author

Liming Ding

School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author
Shengchun Yang

Corresponding Author

Shengchun Yang

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author
Chao Liang

Corresponding Author

Chao Liang

MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 07 April 2025
Citations: 1

Graphical Abstract

We specifically introduced a 4-BBA molecule into the perovskite film to form a multifunctional bridging structure anchored with the SAM layer, which passivated Pb2+ ion defects and regulated crystallization of the perovskite film, enhancing interfacial contact and releasing residual strain. The resultant f-PSCs achieved a high PCE of 25.30% (25.13% certified) with a record VOC of 1.21 V.

Abstract

Inverted flexible perovskite solar cells (f-PSCs) are promising candidates for mechanical photovoltaic applications due to their ease of preparation, lightweight, and portability. However, the weak interface connections, residual strain, and the nonradiative recombination loss among adjacent layers are critical challenges that restrict f-PSCs development. To address these issues, a functionalized molecule with multiple hydrogen bond acceptors, 4-Carboxyphenylboronic acid (4-BBA), is designed in the perovskite precursor for modulating perovskite crystallization, which achieves uniform and stress-relaxation perovskite film and forms a robust bridging structure anchored at the buried interface. Theoretical calculation and experimental results show that the C═O group passivates Pb2+ with I vacancy defect through Lewis acid-base interactions, reducing trap-assisted recombination. Furthermore, the designed 4-BBA is preferentially deposited at the buried layer interface between the perovskite and substrate, forming hydrogen bonds with the self-assembled monolayer via B─OH bonds, creating a mechanically stable bridge between the layers. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of the champion f-PSC reached 25.30% (25.13% certified). And the f-PSC open-circuit voltage set a record of 1.21V. Importantly, the unencapsulated f-PSC using 4-BBA retains 95.3% of its original performance after 5000 cycles at a bending radius of 10mm, demonstrating extraordinary bending stability.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.