Surface Planarization and Chemical Adhesion Enable 25.0% Efficient Perovskite Single-Crystal Solar Cells

Mudeha Shafat Khan; Partha Maity; Khulud Almasabi; Bashir E. Hasanov; Muhammad Naufal Lintangpradipto; Renqian Zhou; Wasim J. Mir; Tariq Sheikh; Abdul Hamid Emwas; Mohamed Nejib Hedhili; Mutalifu Abulikemu; Omar F. Mohammed; Osman M. Bakr

doi:10.1021/acsmaterialslett.4c02549

Surface Planarization and Chemical Adhesion Enable 25.0% Efficient Perovskite Single-Crystal Solar Cells

Mudeha Shafat Khan, Partha Maity, Khulud Almasabi, Bashir E. Hasanov, Muhammad Naufal Lintangpradipto, Renqian Zhou, Wasim J. Mir, Tariq Sheikh, Abdul Hamid Emwas, Mohamed Nejib Hedhili, Mutalifu Abulikemu, Omar F. Mohammed, Osman M. Bakr^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Polycrystalline perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved record efficiencies through facile passivation strategies during crystallization. By contrast, single-crystal PSCs face unique challenges. Their growth requires pristine, additive-free conditions, and controlling facet passivation remains difficult both during and after crystallization. These limitations primarily manifest as higher trap density at interfaces with charge-transport layers rather than within the crystal bulk. To address this challenge in single-crystal PSCs, we modified the hole-transport layer (HTL) surface by using a hydrophilic dielectric polymer. This treatment prevents charge leakage near pinholes while maintaining the single crystal adhesion. Our champion device achieved a high fill factor of 0.82, a large V_oc of 1.08 V, and a record-setting power-conversion efficiency of 25.0% for single-crystal PSCs. Furthermore, the polymer’s hydrophilic properties, combined with strong crystal adhesion, enhanced the device’s operational stability. This work advances single-crystal PSC technology by addressing critical interfacial engineering challenges through a strategic HTL surface modification.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1603-1611
Number of pages	9
Journal	ACS Materials Letters
Volume	7
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.4c02549
State	Published - Apr 7 2025

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
General Materials Science

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10.1021/acsmaterialslett.4c02549

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Khan, M. S., Maity, P., Almasabi, K., Hasanov, B. E., Lintangpradipto, M. N., Zhou, R., Mir, W. J., Sheikh, T., Emwas, A. H., Hedhili, M. N., Abulikemu, M., Mohammed, O. F., & Bakr, O. M. (2025). Surface Planarization and Chemical Adhesion Enable 25.0% Efficient Perovskite Single-Crystal Solar Cells. ACS Materials Letters, 7(4), 1603-1611. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.4c02549

@article{ecc349fb8aa844f8afe9e04bdf4078da,

title = "Surface Planarization and Chemical Adhesion Enable 25.0% Efficient Perovskite Single-Crystal Solar Cells",

abstract = "Polycrystalline perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved record efficiencies through facile passivation strategies during crystallization. By contrast, single-crystal PSCs face unique challenges. Their growth requires pristine, additive-free conditions, and controlling facet passivation remains difficult both during and after crystallization. These limitations primarily manifest as higher trap density at interfaces with charge-transport layers rather than within the crystal bulk. To address this challenge in single-crystal PSCs, we modified the hole-transport layer (HTL) surface by using a hydrophilic dielectric polymer. This treatment prevents charge leakage near pinholes while maintaining the single crystal adhesion. Our champion device achieved a high fill factor of 0.82, a large Voc of 1.08 V, and a record-setting power-conversion efficiency of 25.0% for single-crystal PSCs. Furthermore, the polymer{\textquoteright}s hydrophilic properties, combined with strong crystal adhesion, enhanced the device{\textquoteright}s operational stability. This work advances single-crystal PSC technology by addressing critical interfacial engineering challenges through a strategic HTL surface modification.",

author = "Khan, {Mudeha Shafat} and Partha Maity and Khulud Almasabi and Hasanov, {Bashir E.} and Lintangpradipto, {Muhammad Naufal} and Renqian Zhou and Mir, {Wasim J.} and Tariq Sheikh and Emwas, {Abdul Hamid} and Hedhili, {Mohamed Nejib} and Mutalifu Abulikemu and Mohammed, {Omar F.} and Bakr, {Osman M.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.",

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month = apr,

day = "7",

doi = "10.1021/acsmaterialslett.4c02549",

language = "English (US)",

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Khan, MS, Maity, P, Almasabi, K, Hasanov, BE, Lintangpradipto, MN, Zhou, R, Mir, WJ, Sheikh, T, Emwas, AH, Hedhili, MN, Abulikemu, M, Mohammed, OF & Bakr, OM 2025, 'Surface Planarization and Chemical Adhesion Enable 25.0% Efficient Perovskite Single-Crystal Solar Cells', ACS Materials Letters, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 1603-1611. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.4c02549

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T1 - Surface Planarization and Chemical Adhesion Enable 25.0% Efficient Perovskite Single-Crystal Solar Cells

AU - Khan, Mudeha Shafat

AU - Maity, Partha

AU - Almasabi, Khulud

AU - Hasanov, Bashir E.

AU - Lintangpradipto, Muhammad Naufal

AU - Zhou, Renqian

AU - Mir, Wasim J.

AU - Sheikh, Tariq

AU - Emwas, Abdul Hamid

AU - Hedhili, Mohamed Nejib

AU - Abulikemu, Mutalifu

AU - Mohammed, Omar F.

AU - Bakr, Osman M.

PY - 2025/4/7

Y1 - 2025/4/7

N2 - Polycrystalline perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved record efficiencies through facile passivation strategies during crystallization. By contrast, single-crystal PSCs face unique challenges. Their growth requires pristine, additive-free conditions, and controlling facet passivation remains difficult both during and after crystallization. These limitations primarily manifest as higher trap density at interfaces with charge-transport layers rather than within the crystal bulk. To address this challenge in single-crystal PSCs, we modified the hole-transport layer (HTL) surface by using a hydrophilic dielectric polymer. This treatment prevents charge leakage near pinholes while maintaining the single crystal adhesion. Our champion device achieved a high fill factor of 0.82, a large Voc of 1.08 V, and a record-setting power-conversion efficiency of 25.0% for single-crystal PSCs. Furthermore, the polymer’s hydrophilic properties, combined with strong crystal adhesion, enhanced the device’s operational stability. This work advances single-crystal PSC technology by addressing critical interfacial engineering challenges through a strategic HTL surface modification.

AB - Polycrystalline perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved record efficiencies through facile passivation strategies during crystallization. By contrast, single-crystal PSCs face unique challenges. Their growth requires pristine, additive-free conditions, and controlling facet passivation remains difficult both during and after crystallization. These limitations primarily manifest as higher trap density at interfaces with charge-transport layers rather than within the crystal bulk. To address this challenge in single-crystal PSCs, we modified the hole-transport layer (HTL) surface by using a hydrophilic dielectric polymer. This treatment prevents charge leakage near pinholes while maintaining the single crystal adhesion. Our champion device achieved a high fill factor of 0.82, a large Voc of 1.08 V, and a record-setting power-conversion efficiency of 25.0% for single-crystal PSCs. Furthermore, the polymer’s hydrophilic properties, combined with strong crystal adhesion, enhanced the device’s operational stability. This work advances single-crystal PSC technology by addressing critical interfacial engineering challenges through a strategic HTL surface modification.

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JO - ACS Materials Letters

JF - ACS Materials Letters

IS - 4

ER -

Surface Planarization and Chemical Adhesion Enable 25.0% Efficient Perovskite Single-Crystal Solar Cells

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