Metal Oxide Interlayers Enable Lower-Cost Electrodes in PbS QD Solar Cells

PbS quantum dots (QDs) are an emerginglight-absorbing materialfor thin-film solar cells. However, state-of-the-art solar cell architecturesrely on a gold electrode, which raises material costs to 3x morethan the 2030 US DOE SunShot target module price. Here, we enableboth aluminum and copper electrodes to replace gold through a NiOxinterlayer. An additional indium tin oxide (ITO) buffer layer betweenthe NiOx interlayer and electrode further enables longer shelf lifetimes.By combining these layers, we lower electrode material costs in PbSQD solar cells by a factor of 130000 without compromising power conversionefficiency or stability.