MXene-based materials for efficient applications in perovskite solar cells: A review

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit significant development potential in the last decade due to their high efficiency and low manufacturing cost, with power conversion efficiencies (PCE) as high as 26.1 %. However, several problems still limit PSCs' performance and industrialization, including layer defects, energy level mismatch, and chemical instability. MXenes are a promising class of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides with excellent hydrophilicity, the tunable figure of merit, desirable electrical conductivity, abundant surface chemical end groups, and low-temperature solution processability. These properties make MXenes easy to combine with other materials and enrich their composites' physical and chemical properties, making them more useful in PSCs. This review systematically summarizes the relationship and development of PSCs and MXenes. Several strategies for combining MXenes with various layer components in PSCs were introduced. Further, we discussed the advantages of MXenes as the hole-transporting layer, electron-transporting layer, perovskite active layer, and electrodes. Finally, we look forward to future research on MXene-based materials in the field of PSC and the next step of commercialization. (c) 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.