A systematic approach to ZnO nanoparticle-assisted electron transport bilayer for high efficiency and stable perovskite solar cells

Minimizing the interface loss of perovskite solar cells is critical to achieving high photovoltaic performance, and intensive research is underway on interfacial engineering in this regard. In this work, we introduce a ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) interlayer between phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and a metal electrode in order to reduce the interface loss due to charge recombination and device degradation, and also investigate the dependence of device performance on the thickness and morphology of the PCBM and PCBM/ZnO electron transport bilayer. After achieving optimized PCBM and ZnO thickness, the PCBM/ZnO bilayer-based devices reached an average power conversion efficiency of 15.63% (Max. 16.39%) with an open circuit voltage of 1.05 V, short circuit current density of 18.69 mA cm⁻², and fill factor of 79.95%. In addition, hysteresis behavior and atmospheric stability are significantly improved by the incorporation of a PCBM/ZnO bilayer. Therefore, the implementation of a PCBM/ZnO electron transport bilayer is a promising approach toward achieving a high-efficiency PSC with stable power output (low J-V hysteresis) and durability.