Tailoring carrier dynamics in perovskite solar cells via precise dimension and architecture control and interfacial positioning of plasmonic nanoparticles

Placing plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) in close proximity to semiconductor nanostructures renders effective tuning of the optoelectronic properties of semiconductors through the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-induced enhancement of light absorption and/or promotion of carrier transport. Herein, we report on, for the first time, the scrutiny of carrier dynamics of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) via sandwiching monodisperse plasmonic/dielectric core/shell NPs with systematically varied dielectric shell thickness yet fixed plasmonic core diameter within an electron transport layer (ETL). Specifically, a set of Au NPs with precisely controlled dimensions (i.e., fixed Au core diameter and tunable SiO2 shell thickness) and architectures (plain Au NPs and plasmonic/dielectric Au/SiO2 core/shell NPs) are first crafted by capitalizing on the star-like block copolymer nanoreactor strategy. Subsequently, these monodisperse NPs are sandwiched between the two consecutive TiO2 ETLs. Intriguingly, there exists a critical dielectric SiO2 shell thickness, below which hot electrons from the Au core are readily injected to TiO2 (i.e., hot electron transfer (HET)); this promotes local electron mobility in the TiO2 ETL, leading to improved charge transport and increased short-circuit current density (Jsc). It is also notable that the HET effect moves up the Fermi level of TiO2, resulting in an enhanced built-in potential and open-circuit voltage (Voc). Taken together, the PSCs constructed by employing a sandwich-like TiO2/Au NPs/TiO2 ETL exhibit both greatly enhanced Jsc and Voc, delivering champion PCEs of 18.81% and 19.42% in planar and mesostructured PSCs, respectively. As such, the judicious positioning of rationally designed monodisperse plasmonic NPs in the ETL affords effective tailoring of carrier dynamics, thereby providing a unique platform for developing high-performance PSCs.