Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells by Co-Doped Spinel Nickel Cobaltite Hole Transporting Layer

Abstract: Solution combustion synthesized hole transport layer of co-doped spinel nickel cobaltite were fabricated using doctor-blading technique for planar inverted perovskite solar cells. Perovskite solar cells incorporating Co-doped spinel nickel cobaltite shown an increase in device performance parameters compared to un-doped spinel nickel cobaltite, leading to PCE of 16.5%. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements revealed the tendency of Cu cations to replace preferably the surface Ni atoms changing the surface stoichiometry of spinel nickel cobaltite inducing a cathodic polarization. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements unveiled the increase of the ionization potential by 0.1 eV for co-doped spinel nickel cobaltite film compare to undoped spinel nickel cobaltite-based hole transporting layer. We attribute the enhanced PCE of inverted perovskite solar cells presented due to improved hole extraction properties of co-doped spinel nickel cobaltite hole transporting layer.