A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
The role of terminal functional groups in molecular passivation of the perovskite/hole-selective layer interface
Authors: Hadadian, Mahboubeh; Gries, Thomas W.; Grandhi, G. Krishnamurthy; Rosqvist, Emil; Nizamov, Rustem; Granroth, Sari; Vivo, Paola; Österbacka, Ronald; Smått, Jan-Henrik; Abate, Antonio; Miettunen, Kati
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Publication year: 2026
Journal: EES Solar
eISSN: 3033-4063
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EL00156K
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1039/d5el00156k
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/508248142
The objective of this study is to investigate how terminal functional groups in passivating agents influence the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells. Engineering the perovskite/hole-selective layer interface is critical for effective defect passivation, reduced interfacial recombination, improved charge extraction, optimized energy level alignment, and overall enhancement of device performance. While various molecular strategies have been proposed, the role of specific functional groups in passivating interfacial defects remains poorly understood. Here, a comparative investigation is conducted on three molecules with identical five-carbon backbones but distinct functionalities ammonium (n-pentylammonium iodide), carboxylic acid (valeric acid), and a bifunctional ammonium–carboxylic acid (5-ammonium valeric acid iodide) as passivating agents in perovskite/hole-selective layer interface. Optoelectronic characterization studies including photoluminescence, surface photovoltage, and conductive atomic force microscopy reveal distinct functional group-dependent variations in trap passivation, carrier dynamics, and interfacial conductivity. Devices based on surface-treated perovskites with single-functional group agents exhibit improved open-circuit voltage (VOC) and fill factor (FF), confirming efficient trap suppression and charge extraction. In contrast, the bifunctional molecule, despite effective trap passivation, limits the hole extraction. This work highlights the critical role of molecular functionality in determining interfacial interactions and charge transfer, offering a strategic pathway for interface engineering in perovskite photovoltaics.
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Funding information in the publication:
M. H. thanks SUSMAT profiling funding (Research Council of Finland and the University of Turku). M. H. and R. N. thank the Research Council of Finland (project ECOSOL, 347275). K. M. thanks the Research Council of Finland for the BioEST project (346015 and 336577). P. V. thanks the Research Council of Finland, Decision No. 347772. This work is part of the Research Council of Finland Flagship Programme, Photonics Research and Innovation (PREIN), decision number 346511.