In perovskite based planar heterojunction solar cells, the interface between the TiO2 compact layer and the perovskite film is critical for high photovoltaic performance. The deep trap states on the TiO2 surface induce several challenging issues, such as charge recombination loss and poor stability etc. To solve the problems, we synthesized a triblock fullerene derivative (PCBB-2CN-2C8) via rational molecular design for interface engineering in the perovskite solar cells. Modifying the TiO2 surface with the compound significantly improves charge extraction from the perovskite layer. Together with its uplifted surface work function, open circuit voltage and fill factor are dramatically increased from 0.99 to 1.06 V, and from 72.2% to 79.1%, respectively, resulting in 20.7% improvement in power conversion efficiency for the best performing devices. Scrutinizing the electrical properties of this modified interfacial layer strongly suggests that PCBB-2CN-2C8 passivates the TiO2 surface and thus reduces charge recombination loss caused by the deep trap states of TiO2. The passivation effect is further proven by stability testing of the perovskite solar cells with shelf lifetime under ambient conditions improved by a factor of more than 4, from ∼40 h to ∼200 h, using PCBB-2CN-2C8 as the TiO2 modification layer. This work offers not only a promising material for cathode interface engineering, but also provides a viable approach to address the challenges of deep trap states on TiO2 surface in planar perovskite solar cells.

As one kind of promising next‐generation photovoltaic devices, perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) have experienced unprecedented rapid growth in device performance over the past few years. However, the practical applications of PVSCs require much improved device long‐term stability and performance, and internal defects and external humidity sensitivity are two key limitation need to be overcome. Here, gadolinium fluoride (GdF3) is added into perovskite precursor as a redox shuttle and growth‐assist; meanwhile, aminobutanol vapor is used for Ostwald ripening in the formation of the perovskite layer. Consequently, a high‐quality perovskite film with large grain size and few grain boundaries is obtained, resulting in the reduction of trap state density and carrier recombination. As a result, a power conversion efficiency of 21.21% is achieved with superior stability and negligible hysteresis.

Perovskite solar cells with vanadic oxide doping achieve a power conversion efficiency of 20.5%.

A perovskite solar cell with pyrrole doping achieves an optimal power conversion efficiency of 20.07%.