Interfacial engineering with a ferrocene derivative for air-stable inverted perovskite solar cells with high fill factor of 83.57 %

Perovskite solar cells have demonstrated exceptional photovoltaic performance, but stability remains a challenge due to insufficient interfaces. In this work, a UV-resistance ferrocene derivative, 1,1′-bis (diphenylphosphine) ferrocene (DPPF), is introduced between the electron transport layer and the perovskite, reducing defect density by interaction with undercoordinated Pb2+, suppressing non-radiative recombination of charge carriers, and enhancing electron extraction. Desirable interfacial properties and homogeneous perovskite grains are formed, resulting in a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.82 % and a significantly improved fill factor of 83.57 %. Moreover, DPPF can optimize the interfaces, provide a brand-new morphology with exceptional air durability, cover the active layer to restrain water and oxygen intrusion, and suppress metal electrode corrosion. Resultant devices without encapsulation have remained above 80 % of their initial PCE for 1400 h under 25 °C air and 50–60 % relative humidity conditions.