SnO2-Ti3C2 Blends as Electron Transport Layer for Efficient and Easily Fabricated Planar Perovskite Solar Cells

In this work, the SnO₂-Ti₃C₂ hybrid electron transport layer (ETL) was prepared by incorporating two-dimensional Ti₃C₂-MXene into SnO₂ and appropriate ultraviolet (UV) ozone treatment. The synergistic effect of Ti₃C₂ introduction and UV ozone treatment on the charge transport capacity of SnO₂ ETL, interface properties of ETL/perovskite, perovskite morphology, and device performance was systematically investigated. The results show that the introduction of Ti₃C₂ does not affect the morphology and transmittance of SnO₂ ETL. The perovskite films based on SnO₂-Ti₃C₂ are not only dense, but also have smaller surface roughness, more uniform, and larger grain size, even penetrating the entire perovskite film. The surface oxidation of Ti₃C₂ induced by UV-ozone treatment enhanced the charge transport capacity of ETL. The electron extraction and charge transfer at the interface between SnO₂-Ti₃C₂ ETL and perovskite are higher, and carrier recombination is effectively suppressed. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on SnO₂-Ti₃C₂ ETL have larger charge recombination impedance and higher electron mobility, mainly due to enhanced ETL charge transport and optimization of interface properties. The short-circuit current (Jsc) and filling factor (FF) of PSCs are increased by 5% and 7% respectively, delivering a champion device with a relatively high FF of 79.38% and high power conversion efficiency of 19.52%, as well as good stability. Thus, this study provides a simple and effective method for the preparation of efficient and repeatable PSCs and paves the way for the industrialization of PSCs to a certain extent.