Enhanced performance and stability in DNA-perovskite heterostructure-based solar cells

Yuchen Hou, Kai Wang, Dong Yang, Yuanyuan Jiang, Neela Yennawar, Ke Wang, Mohan Sanghadasa, Congcong Wu, Shashank Priya

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been recently recognized as hole transport material apart from its well-known generic role. The promising long-range hole transport capability in DNA make it potential "molecular wire" in optoelectronics. Here, we demonstrate a core-shell heterostructure of perovskite wrapped by cetyltrimethylammonium chloride modified DNA (DNA-CTMA) through a self-assembly process. Such a design results in enhanced extraction and transport of holes in the bio-photovoltaic device and boosts the efficiency to 20.63%. The hydrophobicity of the DNA-CTMA shell surrounding the perovskite grain boundary is also found to enhance the device stability, as the corresponding cell retained over 90% of initial efficiency after long-term ambient exposure. Building upon the hole transport characteristics of DNA-CTMA, a hole-free device is fabricated that exhibits high power conversion efficiency but has 50â»000% reduced cost. These results not only demonstrate breakthrough in designing cheap, efficient, and stable bio-photovoltaics but also open the pathway towards the exciting possibility of controlled interaction between living and artificial semiconductors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2646-2655
Number of pages10
JournalACS Energy Letters
Volume4
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 8 2019

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Chemistry (miscellaneous)
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Enhanced performance and stability in DNA-perovskite heterostructure-based solar cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this