Enhanced Performance and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells Through Surface Modification with Benzocaine Hydrochloride

Current development of inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with nickel oxide as the hole transport layer, is progressing toward lower net costs, higher efficiencies, and superior stabilities. Unfortunately, the high density of defect-based traps on the surface of perovskite films significantly limits the photoelectric conversion efficiency and operational stability of perovskite solar cells. Finding cost-effective interface modifiers is crucial for the further commercial development of p-i-n PSCs. In the present work, we report a passivation strategy using a multifunctional molecule, benzocaine hydrochloride (BHC), which is shown to reduce defect density and enhance the photovoltaic performance and stability of the resultant p-i-n PSCs. It has been revealed that BHC strongly interacts with perovskite precursor components and triggers the evolution of the perovskite absorber film morphology and enables improved surface energy level alignment, thus promoting charge carrier transport and extraction. These properties are beneficial for improving open-circuit voltage (