Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.
Advertisement
Nature Photonics volume 19, pages 701–708 (2025)
7481
31
19
Metrics details
Defective and mechanically weak interfaces substantially undermine both the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here we introduce a linear polymer, heparin sodium, as a multifunctional interface bridge layer in n–i–p PSCs. Unlike commonly employed small-molecule interface modification/passivation materials, heparin sodium features functional groups and ions including COO−, SO3− and Na+ distributed along the top and bottom sides of its backbone. It thus serves as a bridge connecting the SnO2 electron transport layer and the perovskite film through robust chemical bonding, mitigating defects and enhancing heterointerface bonding in PSCs. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the resulting rigid devices is 26.61% (certified 26.54%), positioning it among the highest-efficiency PSCs. We also fabricate flexible SnO2/heparin sodium-based PSCs that achieve a PCE of 25.23%. The heparin sodium-based devices demonstrate excellent operational and thermal stability. After 1,800 h under maximum power point tracking under simulated 1-Sun conditions, 94.9% of the initial PCE is retained. The devices also maintain 95.2% of their initial PCE after ageing at 85 °C for 1,800 h.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$32.99 / 30 days
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
USD 39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
All data are available in the Article or Supplementary Information. Additional data can be obtained from corresponding authors upon reasonable request.
Kojima, A., Teshima, K., Shirai, Y. & Miyasaka, T. Organometal halide perovskites as visible-light sensitizers for photovoltaic cells. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 6050–6051 (2009).
Article Google Scholar
Jeong, M. et al. Stable perovskite solar cells with efficiency exceeding 24.8% and 0.3-V voltage loss. Science 369, 1615–1620 (2020).
Article ADS Google Scholar
You, S. et al. Radical polymeric p-doping and grain modulation for stable, efficient perovskite solar modules. Science 379, 288–294 (2023).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Zheng, X. et al. Co-deposition of hole-selective contact and absorber for improving the processability of perovskite solar cells. Nat. Energy 8, 462–472 (2023).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Luo, C. et al. Engineering the buried interface in perovskite solar cells via lattice-matched electron transport layer. Nat. Photon. 17, 856–864 (2023).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Hou, Y. et al. A generic interface to reduce the efficiency-stability-cost gap of perovskite solar cells. Science 358, 1192–1197 (2017).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Jung, E. H. et al. Efficient, stable and scalable perovskite solar cells using poly(3-hexylthiophene). Nature 567, 511–515 (2019).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Jeong, M. et al. Large-area perovskite solar cells employing spiro-Naph hole transport material. Nat. Photon. 16, 119–125 (2022).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Kim, M. et al. Conformal quantum dot–SnO2 layers as electron transporters for efficient perovskite solar cells. Science 375, 302–306 (2022).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Jeong, S. et al. Visible-transparent electron-selective self-assembled monolayer for electron-transport-layer-free high-efficiency and flexible organic solar cells. ACS Energy Lett. 9, 3771–3779 (2024).
Article Google Scholar
Zhou, H. et al. Interface engineering of highly efficient perovskite solar cells. Science 345, 542–546 (2014).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Zheng, X. et al. Managing grains and interfaces via ligand anchoring enables 22.3%-efficiency inverted perovskite solar cells. Nat. Energy 5, 131–140 (2020).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Chen, J. et al. Efficient tin-based perovskite solar cells with trans-isomeric fulleropyrrolidine additives. Nat. Photon. 18, 464–470 (2024).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Xiong, Y. et al. Recent advances in perovskite/Cu(In,Ga)Se2 tandem solar cells. Mater. Today Electron. 7, 100086 (2024).
Article Google Scholar
Tang, H. et al. Reinforcing self-assembly of hole transport molecules for stable inverted perovskite solar cells. Science 383, 1236–1240 (2024).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Chen, P. et al. Multifunctional ytterbium oxide buffer for perovskite solar cells. Nature 625, 516–522 (2024).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Azmi, R. et al. Double-side 2D/3D heterojunctions for inverted perovskite solar cells. Nature 628, 93–98 (2024).
Article ADS Google Scholar
You, S. et al. Bifunctional hole-shuttle molecule for improved interfacial energy level alignment and defect passivation in perovskite solar cells. Nat. Energy 8, 515–525 (2023).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Liu, Y. et al. Ultrahydrophobic 3D/2D fluoroarene bilayer-based water-resistant perovskite solar cells with efficiencies exceeding 22%. Sci. Adv. 5, eaaw2543 (2019).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Zhang, Y. et al. Improved fatigue behaviour of perovskite solar cells with an interfacial starch–polyiodide buffer layer. Nat. Photon. 17, 1066–1073 (2023).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Luo, L. et al. Stabilization of 3D/2D perovskite heterostructures via inhibition of ion diffusion by cross-linked polymers for solar cells with improved performance. Nat. Energy 8, 294–303 (2023).
ADS Google Scholar
Dai, Z. et al. Connecting interfacial mechanical adhesion, efficiency, and operational stability in high performance inverted perovskite solar cells. ACS Energy Lett. 9, 1880–1887 (2024).
Article Google Scholar
Duan, T. et al. Chiral-structured heterointerfaces enable durable perovskite solar cells. Science 384, 878–884 (2024).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Chen, M. et al. Stress engineering for mitigating thermal cycling fatigue in perovskite photovoltaics. ACS Energy Lett. 9, 2582–2589 (2024).
Article Google Scholar
Johnson, S. A. et al. Improving the barrier properties of tin oxide in metal halide perovskite solar cells using ozone to enhance nucleation. Joule 7, 2873–2893 (2023).
Article Google Scholar
Chen, H. et al. Improved charge extraction in inverted perovskite solar cells with dual-site-binding ligands. Science 384, 189–193 (2024).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Liu, S. et al. Buried interface molecular hybrid for inverted perovskite solar cells. Nature 632, 536–542 (2024).
Article Google Scholar
Dong, B. et al. Self-assembled bilayer for perovskite solar cells with improved tolerance against thermal stresses. Nat. Energy 10, 342–353 (2025).
Zheng, X. et al. Defect passivation in hybrid perovskite solar cells using quaternary ammonium halide anions and cations. Nat. Energy 2, 17102 (2017).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Chen, H. et al. Quantum-size-tuned heterostructures enable efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells. Nat. Photon. 16, 352–358 (2022).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Jeong, J. et al. Pseudo-halide anion engineering for α-FAPbI3 perovskite solar cells. Nature 592, 381–385 (2021).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Cheng, Q. et al. Single crystal seed induced epitaxial growth stabilizes α-FAPbI3 in perovskite solar cells. Nano Lett. 24, 5308–5316 (2024).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Dai, Z. et al. Interfacial toughening with self-assembled monolayers enhances perovskite solar cell reliability. Science 372, 618–622 (2021).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Rolston, N. et al. Engineering stress in perovskite solar cells to improve stability. Adv. Energy Mater. 8, 1802139 (2018).
Article Google Scholar
Xue, D.-J. et al. Regulating strain in perovskite thin films through charge-transport layers. Nat. Commun. 11, 1514 (2020).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Park, S. M. et al. Low-loss contacts on textured substrates for inverted perovskite solar cells. Nature 624, 289–294 (2023).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Peng, W. et al. Reducing nonradiative recombination in perovskite solar cells with a porous insulator contact. Science 379, 683–690 (2023).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Shao, S. & Loi, M. A. The role of the interfaces in perovskite solar cells. Adv. Mater. Interf. 7, 1901469 (2020).
Article Google Scholar
Chen, J., Zhao, X., Kim, S.-G. & Park, N.-G. Multifunctional chemical linker imidazoleacetic acid hydrochloride for 21% efficient and stable planar perovskite solar cells. Adv. Mater. 31, 1902902 (2019).
Article Google Scholar
Liu, Z. et al. A holistic approach to interface stabilization for efficient perovskite solar modules with over 2,000-hour operational stability. Nat. Energy 5, 596–604 (2020).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Xia, H. et al. Interfacial chemical bridge constructed by zwitterionic sulfamic acid for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells. ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 3, 3186–3192 (2020).
Article Google Scholar
Li, M. et al. Strategies to improve the mechanical robustness of metal halide perovskite solar cells. Energy Adv. 3, 273–280 (2024).
Article Google Scholar
Min, H. et al. Perovskite solar cells with atomically coherent interlayers on SnO2 electrodes. Nature 598, 444–450 (2021).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Siebentritt, S. et al. Photoluminescence assessment of materials for solar cell absorbers. Faraday Discuss. 239, 112–129 (2022).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Li, J. et al. Enhancing the efficiency and longevity of inverted perovskite solar cells with antimony-doped tin oxides. Nat. Energy 9, 308–315 (2024).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Kresse, G. & Furthmuller, J. Efficiency of ab-initio total energy calculations for metals and semiconductors using a plane-wave basis set. Comp. Mater. Sci. 6, 15–50 (1996).
Article Google Scholar
Kresse, G. & Furthmuller, J. Efficient iterative schemes for ab initio total-energy calculations using a plane-wave basis set. Phys. Rev. B 54, 11169–11186 (1996).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Kresse, G. & Hafner, J. Ab-initio molecular-dynamics for liquid-metals. Phys. Rev. B 47, 558–561 (1993).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Blochl, P. E. Projector augmented-wave method. Phys. Rev. B 50, 17953–17979 (1994).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Perdew, J. P. & Wang, Y. Accurate and simple analytic representation of the electron-gas correlation-energy. Phys. Rev. B 45, 13244–13249 (1992).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Perdew, J. P., Burke, K. & Ernzerhof, M. Generalized gradient approximation made simple. Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 3865–3868 (1996).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Grimme, S., Antony, J., Ehrlich, S. & Krieg, H. A consistent and accurate ab initio parametrization of density functional dispersion correction (DFT-D) for the 94 elements H-Pu. J. Chem. Phys. 132, 154104 (2010).
Article ADS Google Scholar
Frisch, M. J. et al. Gaussian 16 Rev. C.01 (2016).
Download references
This work was supported by the Key Research & Development and Promotion Projects of Henan Province (Science and Technology) (grants 232102241017 and 232102231058), the Basic Research Project of the Key Scientific Research Project of Henan Province (grant 23A430003), the Youth Science Foundation of Henan Province (grant 232300421372) and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (grant 2023M741078). The work at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 22409197) and the Project of Talent Cultivation for Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality of the University of Chinese of Academy of Sciences. The research reported in this publication was also supported by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Y.L. acknowledges support from start-up funding from Xi’an Jiaotong University under the framework of the ‘Young Talent Support Plan’ (grant 71211223010709), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants GYKP038 and 52403248) and Qin Chuang Yuan (grant QCYRCXM-2023-067).
These authors contributed equally: Xiaodan Tang, Chenglin Yang, Yafeng Xu, Jianxing Xia.
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
Xiaodan Tang, Bo Li, Miao Li, Yuanyuan Zhou, Lulu Jiang & Hairui Liu
Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, College of Materials Science and Optoelectronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Chenglin Yang & Xiaopeng Zheng
Center for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies (CREST), Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Yafeng Xu & Omar F. Mohammed
Institute of Molecular Plus, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
Jianxing Xia
ZOOM SOLAR–XJTU Research Institute for Thin Film Photovoltaics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
Kunhui Ma, Qiao Yu & Yuhang Liu
College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
Bitao Dong
State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
Yuhang Liu
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
PubMed Google Scholar
X.T. and X.Z. conceived the idea and designed the experiments. X.T., K.M., Q.Y., B.D. and B.L. contributed to the device fabrication and characterization. C.Y. contributed to the QFLS, TEM, residual strain and mechanical property measurements under the supervision of X.Z. Y.X. carried out the DFT calculations under the supervision of O.F.M. M.L., Y.Z. and L.J. performed the SEM characterizations, XPS characterizations and film microstructure analysis. X.T. and H.L. conducted transient absorption and GIXRD measurements. J.X. helped with discussions and data interpretation. Y.L. helped with the data analysis. X.T., C.Y., Y.X., J.X., B.D., O.F.M. and X.Z. wrote the manuscript. All authors discussed the results and contributed to revising the manuscript.
Correspondence to Bitao Dong, Omar F. Mohammed or Xiaopeng Zheng.
The authors declare no competing interests.
Nature Photonics thanks Changduk Yang and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Notes 1–3, Figs. 1–18 and Tables 1–10.
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
Reprints and permissions
Tang, X., Yang, C., Xu, Y. et al. Enhancing the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells via a polymer heterointerface bridge. Nat. Photon. 19, 701–708 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-025-01676-3
Download citation
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Version of record:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-025-01676-3
Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:
Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.
Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative
Advertisement
Nature Photonics (Nat. Photon.)
ISSN 1749-4893 (online)
ISSN 1749-4885 (print)
© 2025 Springer Nature Limited
Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.
