Bifunctional π conjugated g-C3N4 for enhancing the efficiency and stability of carbon-based perovskite solar cells

Interface recombination is the main challenge associated with the MAPbI3 perovskite solar cells. Aim of this study was to inttroduce anthracene rings into the g-C3N4 framework to enhance the conjugation as well as electron extraction and transport capabilities. It showed that the introduction of a conjugated system containing anthracene ring modified g-C3N4 (AACN) as an interface modification layer reduced the interfacial carrier recombination resulting in an increase of device efficiency from 11.35 % to 14.97 %. Under unpacked condition, 500 h of testing at a relative humidity of 30 %, the AACN modified MAPbI3 perovskite solar cells showed efficiency retention of 80 % compared to 56 % retention observed for MAPbI3 perovskite solar cells. It provides an insight for the application of conjugated systems to modify g-C3N4 and its application in photovoltaic devices.