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Achieving the spontaneous evolution of hydrogen from photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells in water using solar light is a desirable but difficult goal. Here, we report a highly efficient wireless monolithic tandem device composed of bipolar highly transparent BiVO 4 -sensitised mesoporous WO 3 films/Pt and a porphyrin-dye-based photoelectrode achieving 5.7% without any external bias. A sandwich infiltration process was used to produce a thin BiVO 4 layer coated onto mesoporous WO 3 films while preserving high transparency, enabling high photonic flux into the second dye-sensitised photoanode. In addition, the porphyrin-dye-sensitised photoanode with a cobalt electrolyte generated sufficient bias, realising highly efficient unassisted solar water splitting in the tandem cells. By combining the highly transparent BiVO 4 -sensitised mesoporous WO 3 films with the state-of-the-art water oxidation catalyst and a single dye-sensitised solar cell with a high open circuit potential in a monolithic tandem configuration, an extraordinarily high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency with spontaneous hydrogen evolution was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, the physical and chemical degradation behaviors of active layers based on semicrystalline p-type polymer (poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)) and [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl-ester (PC71BM) are compared with the corresponding behaviors of amorphous p-type polymer of poly[N-9″-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) and PC71BM. A surface morphological study of the active layer (from Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images) and a chemical analysis (from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) results) help explain why PCDTBT/PC71BM bulk heterojunction (BHJ) has a higher level of long-term stability under thermal and air stability experimental conditions than a P3HT/PC71BM-based BHJ. The power conversion efficiency for a PCDTBT/PC71BM BHJ cell and a P3HT/PC71BM BHJ cell decreased by 11% and 21%, respectively, after a thermal stability test and by 68% and 78%, respectively, after a 300h air stability test. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several groups reported fabrication method of organic solar cells through a stamping technique by using PDMS mold. Although PDMS is a good stamp material, they have several problems in polymer transfer printing, especially when we use organic solvent (easily swollen). In this study, the polymer solar cells with an active layer of BHJ are successfully prepared via a simple imprinting transfer technique with help of UV-curable resin-coated polycarbonate (UV-PC) film. The transferred BHJ active layer from UV-PC film was perfectly retained at 220-nm thick on top of the PEDOT:PSS-coated ITO glass, and the device showed enhanced J sc and device performance up to 3.19% after insertion of the TiO x interlayer between the active layer and Al cathode. This unique imprinting transfer can be considered as an alternative approach to replace the spin-coating when the matters, pre-coated layers are affected by the solvent for next layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Carbon nanotube (CNT) transparent electrode enable high-performance flexible photodetectors. • The CNT-based photodetectors revealed high detectivity owing to high effective electron injection barriers. • Photoelectron yield spectroscopy was used for the analysis of injection model. • The devices demonstrate stable operation after 500 cyclic flex test, attributed to the mechanical stability of CNT. [Display omitted] Carbon nanotubes possess outstanding mechanical, optical, and electronic properties and have been proposed as a replacement for indium–tin oxide in curved and flexible organic photodetectors to realize nearly 100% omnidirectional sensing. Because organic photodetectors require dense nanotube arrays to form suitable top layers, it is important to counterbalance their transmittance and packing density to achieve high performance. Carbon nanotubes are introduced as an electrode on a flexible substrate in this study. The carbon nanotube electrode, with an average visible transmittance of 90%, suppresses dark current considerably below the picoampere level, leads to a high detectivity of 2.07 × 1014 Jones, which is 100 times larger than that of the indium–tin oxide-based devices. The deep work function of the carbon nanotube electrode induced a high electron injection barrier, which was investigated by photoelectron yield spectroscopy, considering the energy level bending caused by the electrode–semiconductor contact. The flexible organic photodetectors fabricated with the carbon nanotube electrode operated stably after a cyclic flex test of 500 bendings. This paper demonstrated the effective implementation of curved and flexible image sensors by developing an excellent flexible photodetector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gel-type polymer electrolytes have received considerable attention due to the battery explosion issue associated with volatile liquid-electrolyte-based lithium ion batteries (LIBs). However, the high ionic conductivity of gel-type polymer electrolytes originates from polymer swelling by the liquid electrolyte, and these materials inevitably have poor mechanical strength during device deformation. Here, we report structural gel-type polymer separators with highly porous and uniform morphology arising from the phase inversion of PVdF-HFP polymers with highly dispersible nanoscale graphene oxide nanoflake (GON). Via simple γ-ray irradiation of conventional graphene oxide solution, large 2D particles were cut into small 2D particles with a narrow size distribution, which in turn resulted in a dramatic change in solution transparency and particle dispersity. γ-ray-irradiated graphene oxide nanoflakes (γ-GON) with high dispersity are located inside the porous PVdF-HFP skeleton, inducing additional micron-sized pores of ∼8 μm in the composite membranes. The modified porous film showed both gel-polymer electrolyte-like (uptake of 1.7 times more liquid electrolyte than conventional polyethylene separator) and polymer separator-like behavior (maintenance of original porous structure after soaked with liquid electrolyte). As a result, this pseudo-gel-polymer separator with a tailored pore structure has uniform ion flux and enhanced interfacial properties with electrodes, contributing superior battery performance. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated a single-layer low refractive index anti-reflection (AR) coating on an organic photovoltaic device, using hollow silica nanoparticles, as shown in a cross-sectional TEM image. The PCE (6.53%) of the device with the AR pattern layer was improved, which contributed to the increased light absorption in the broadband range and charge generation at normal incidence observed by optical and electrical analysis, respectively. Comparing the photovoltaic performance of the devices without and with the AR pattern layer by hollow silica nanoparticles, the AR pattern achieved an angle of incidence (AOI) improvement of averaged absorbance reduction of 45% and 74% for AOIs of 30 and 60°, compared to that of the bare substrate. Consequently, the AR pattern layer showed excellent broadband and omnidirectional AR properties, and improved the performance of the device at various AOIs. The AR pattern layer from silica nanoparticles can be a useful approach for reducing reflectance in solar devices by a simple coating process, which will contribute to higher performance of organic photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature, cheap, highly conductive triangular silver-nanoplates (Ag-NPs) embedded in poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films were prepared on bare glass substrates via spin coating and chemical polymerization. The films acted as a very good alternative to conventional platinum (Pt) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The effect of the Ag-NPs in the PEDOT CE was evaluated by adding different weight ratios of Ag-NPs (0.06, 0.60, and 1.20 wt%) to the PEDOT solution before producing the film, and the catalytic and conductive properties were compared against those of pristine PEDOT films for use in DSSCs. The catalytic properties of all CEs in the DSSCs were characterized via cyclic voltammetry ( CV ), current-voltage ( I-V ) measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The PEDOT CE with embedded Ag-NPs functioned as excellent electrocatalysts for tri-iodide reduction, as compared to pristine PEDOT CEs. DSSCs (cell area: 1 cm 2 ) with the 0.60 wt% samples exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 6.0% under 1 sun illumination (100 mW cm −2 ), which is higher than that of DSSCs with pristine PEDOT CE (5.5%). The Ag-NPs embedded PEDOT CE has very good catalytic activity and conductivity, which is more suitable for large area Pt and FTO less DSSC. In addition, no noticeable efficiency decay was observed after adding Ag-NPs in PEDOT CEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report metal substrate dependent formation of honeycomb-like nanopatterns via a versatile anodization method. During the anodization of metal foils, the well-known formation of well-aligned metal oxide nanotube arrays are observed, and honeycomb-like nano-hole patterns are successfully obtained after stripping the oxide nanotube array layers. Interestingly, the sizes of the nano-hole patterns are dependent upon the starting metal substrate for the anodization. By simple alternation of a metal substrate for anodization, it is possible to tune the radius and interpore distance of the resulting nanosized hole patterns. As one of applications for nanopatterned metal substrates, flexible dye-sensitized solar cells are fabricated, and the positive effects of the nanopatterned substrate on cell efficiency are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The morphology and self-organization control of the active layer in solar cells based on poly(3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl-C-61-buytyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) is studied by applying a non-solvent swelling treatment, where an acetonitrile solution is applied on top of the active layer for 10min, followed by a spin-coating process to remove the non-solvent. After non-solvent swelling treatment, the optical absorption spectra for the active layer films indicated a red shift with developing features of P3HT, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement data show the improvement of the effective interchain stacking of P3HT. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) results clearly show that the inter-diffusion region between the active layer and cathode is enhanced. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) data show increasing surface roughness, which would lead to increased collection of charges and thus improved efficiency. When the non-solvent swelling method was combined with the post thermal annealing treatment, synergistic effects for the enhancement of power conversion efficiency were observed: post-thermal annealing only: 2.64%, non-solvent treatment only: 1.58%, non-solvent treatment and post-thermal annealing: 3.01% efficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present the effects of a concentration graded Li:Al cathode when it is made by one-step evaporation method using single alloy sources on the performance of organic solar cells. The concentration profile of the Li:Al cathode and related interface energy levels were investigated by means of secondary ion mass spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, in comparison with those of a common Al cathode. The results indicate that interfacial lithium accumulation introduces a cascade decrease of the work function (WF) of the cathode. The WF graded cathode applied to bulk heterojunction solar cells resulted in increased short circuit current and power conversion efficiency. Furthermore, the Li:Al cathode avoids the formation of interface Al–C complex, which may cause disruption of electron transport. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Recent studies have shown a highly efficient performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) of 22.7%. Although a number of efforts have been made to reproduce flat, uniform, and dense perovskite films using a stoichiometric ratio of 'CH 3 NH 3 I: PbI 2 : DMSO = 1:1:1′, several complicated processes are required to achieve a regular grain-to-grain uniformity. Therefore, it was difficult to reproduce. This is because the conventional ratio of 'CH 3 NH 3 I: PbI 2 : DMSO = 1:1:1′ can cause the CH 3 NH 3 I-PbI 2 -DMSO intermediate phase and the CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 crystal phase to coexist in solution. As a result, the CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 crystals in the solution may deteriorate the quality of the thin film. In this study, the non-stoichiometric molar ratio among CH 3 NH 3 I:PbI 2 :DMSO solutions was applied to control the quality of the perovskite layers. We successfully fabricated uniform and dense CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 PSCs, by simply manipulating CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 solubility with the different DMSO molar amounts. Further, a homogeneous grain size and a regular inter-grain arrangement with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were obtained in the optimized solubility. We also confirmed that the PSCs with the optimized condition exhibited higher J sc (Current density) and PCE (Power Conversion Efficiency), due to the Lamer model effect on the enhancement of the internal light absorption. Furthermore, the device with the optimized solubility exhibited enhanced electrical properties. Especially, the improved-electrical properties of the charge carrier-separation, mobility, collection, generation, and resistances were confirmed by photoluminescence (PL) quenching/mapping of the space-charge limited current (SCLC), the photo current density as a function of internal voltage (J ph –V int) characteristic, and the impedance. Consequently, it was shown that tailoring the solubility of CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 can have a critical effect on the production of high quality perovskite thin films. These films will have an appropriate particle size and uniformity that will have a promising approach for generating high current densities. Graphical abstract Modified non-stoichiometric molar ratio of CH 3 NH 3 I:PbI 2 :DMSO • High purity CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 intermediate phase • High quality perovskite film and improved electrical property. fx1 Highlights • Tailoring solubility with non-stoichiometry molar ratio of perovskite contribute to high current generation in photovoltaics. • A homogeneous grain size and a regular inter-grain arrangement were attained in the optimized CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 solubility. • An Optimized CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 solubility give rise to enhancing device PCE (%) with increased J sc and IPCE. • Relationships between morphology and electrical analysis lead to fabricating high quality perovskite layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We demonstrated a simple and effective modification of graphene oxide (GO) to enhance the device performance of perovskite photovoltaics. The surface chemistry and morphology of GO was tailored by irradiating aqueous GO solution with 60Co γ-ray. During the irradiation, hydroxyl radicals were believed to be released from water radiolysis and oxidized the surface of pristine GO sheets, supposedly. Furthermore, large GO agglomerates scattered as individual GO sheets with small lateral dimensions, which is advantageous to uniform distribution of GO sheets in PEDOT:PSS layer. PEDOT:PSS layer with γ-ray irradiated GO (γ-GO) facilitated efficient hole transport properties in perovskite solar cells. PEDOT:PSS layer became more hydrophobic by embedding γ-GO after thermal annealing and thus improved the crystallinity of perovskite layer on top of the PEDOT:PSS. Consequently, embedding γ-GO in PEDOT:PSS layer resulted in better electrical properties than PEDOT:PSS layer without GO or with pristine GO. As a result, power conversion efficiency was improved owing to increased charge generation/extraction, and photoluminescence in the perovskite photoactive layer. Graphical abstract Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research group fabricated low temperature based inverted semi-transparent CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 perovskite photovoltaics. The work function of PEDOT:PSS (PH1000) electrode was modified using polyethylenimine (PEI) and both layers are transferred on the ITO/PEDOT:PSS/CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 /PCBM layer using hydrophobic polyurethane acrylate (PUA) polymer stamp. Even if the PH1000 spin coating on the CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 /PCBM layer shows degradation of perovskite due to the inter-diffusion of PH1000 solvent, drying transfer shows effective layer stacking without degradation. The PEI treatment on the PH1000 contributes to reduce the work function from 5.1eV to 3.97 eV and this modification makes to improve the device performance from 0.07% to 4.02%. The full device average visible transmittance (AVT) exhibits 24.53% and the work function modification shows the decreased charge transporting resistance (R c ), which directly correlate to the enhanced open circuit voltage (V oc ) short circuit current (J sc ) and fill factor (FF). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We synthesized PP-TPD, based on a phenanthro[1,10,9,8-cdefg]carbazole unit as a donor and a thieno [3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD) unit as an acceptor for efficient bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells. The copolymer achieves a relatively low bandgap (1.6 eV) by its internal charge-transfer, which concurs with the results of density functional theory (DFT) calculation for the distribution of HOMO and LUMO levels. In addition, we fabricated the bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) photovoltaic cells as a function of the blend ratio of the donor (PP-TPD) and acceptor (PC 70 BM), and applied a solvent additive and an interlayer to the device, with the optimized ratio used in this study. To comprehend the relationships between the device performance and the synergetic effects of 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) and titanium oxide (TiO x ) within the PP-TPD: PC 70 BM blends, we investigated the hole mobility related to the charge carrier transport, the charge generation, and the charge transport resistance using space-charge limited current (SCLC) measurement, photocurrent analysis, and impedance spectroscopy, respectively. Especially, we implemented fluorescence imaging by Raman spectroscopy, which related to the charge generation and recombination dynamics within the surface of photoactive areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly dispersible graphene was hybridized with a phthalocyanine derivative via covalent linkage to create a new type of donor-acceptor hybrid exhibiting photoinduced charge separation. Graphene is beneficial for the hybridization due to its easy functionalization and the unique electron accepting ability. A phthalocyanine (PC) derivative, pyrazine-based silicon phthalocyanine dichloride, possessing rich π-conjugated macrocycle was used for the electron donating purpose. The hybrid molecule showed a significant decrease in fluorescence of π-conjugated PC, implying an efficient photoinduced charge transfer occurring within the covalently-linked molecular structure consisting of “donor-acceptor”. The graphene-PC hybrid molecule has also been demonstrated as an active layer material in organic photovoltaic device as well. Thus our results indeed underline the efficacy of the molecular level heterojunction of the covalently linked graphene-PC molecule in a single cell and will open new opportunities ahead for active layers research to go beyond conventional bulk-heterojunction (BHJ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solution-processed organic bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) photovoltaic cells using random copolymeric donor materials have been extensively reported due to their suitable film-forming characteristics and phase-separated nano-morphology. Here, ratio-controlled toluene-versus benzene-chemical group based diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) donor polymers mixed with a fullerene acceptor were investigated to fabricate an efficient photovoltaic active layer with improved electrical properties through a vacuum treatment. The vacuum process leads to an increase in the phase-separation with a low surface roughness and nanoscale-distributed crystallinity due to securing the dry time of the residual solvent and solvent additive within the active layer. Moreover, the optimized DPP-based donor with toluene (T) versus benzene (B) linkers and electron transporting layer leads to an improvement in the power conversion efficiencies of up to 6.31% under AM 1.5G illumination due to the contributions of an efficient charge transfer and reduced series resistance. Therefore, the organic semiconductor obtained with the ratio-controlled molecular structure and proper solvent drying process plays an important role in increasing the electrical and morphological properties to produce efficient organic solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Amorphous metal alloy with AlSm is firstly fabricated into thin film electrodes through sputtering for optoelectronics. • High oxidation stability is observed for the amorphous AlSm via electrochemical analyses. • High stability is found for the device with amorphous AlSm electrode due to the electrodes' amorphous atomic arrangements. • Dark current and detectivity is conserved even after aging in ambient air for extended time An Al-based amorphous metal alloy (i.e., metallic glass) is fabricated in the form of a thin film electrode for an organic solar cell. The chemical stability of the amorphous alloy thin film is analysed via electrochemical analyses, which reveals that the random atomic arrangement within the electrode suppresses the oxidation reaction upon contact with harsh conditions. Incorporation of an amorphous metal thin film as a top electrode for organic solar cell devices results in considerable enhancement in device stability, as the metallic surface with the amorphous phase hinders the ambient moisture and oxygen from permeating into the underlying organic layers. The electrical parameters of the amorphous electrodes are analysed before and after aging and compared with those of a conventional crystalline metal electrode, which presents the advantage of amorphous electrodes in maintaining high charge transport properties for an extended time. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic membrane technology has received significant research attention because this system can continuously and safely purify wastewater without the post-process of separating and recovering the nanoscale photocatalysts. However, conventional membrane technology cannot wholly derive the photocatalytic performance due to the limitation in the loading contents of nanoscale photocatalyst and the reduced reactive sites. In this study, in order to overcome these issues and the limitations of current fabrication methods for photocatalytic membranes, a versatile and facile self-assembly approach for a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fiber-based reusable photocatalytic membrane with immobilized titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles is demonstrated to maximize the loading contents and photocatalytic reaction sites of nanoparticles on the surface of polymeric membrane. The TiO 2 nanoparticles were successfully immobilized in high loading content on the surface of electrospun PVDF fibers using a poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) as a self-assembly reaction agent at room temperature. Then, the physicochemical properties of the fabricated photocatalytic membrane and the manufacturing mechanism are systematically characterized. The photocatalytic properties of the membrane according to the loading of immobilized TiO 2 nanoparticles are evaluated based on the degradation of various dye solutions under the illumination of a Xenon lamp (incident light intensity = 100 mW/cm2). The photocatalytic performance of the membrane is considerably enhanced when the loading of immobilized TiO 2 nanoparticles on the PVDF fibers is higher as a result of a more vigorous self-assembly reaction. Furthermore, the reusability of the membrane is evaluated by repeating the dye removal process via adsorption and light irradiation; after the 20th cycle, it is demonstrated that the dye removal efficiency remains high without any leakage of TiO 2 nanoparticles. The proposed facile fabrication method for a photocatalytic membrane with excellent reusability thus offers a new approach for the design of industrially applicable high-efficiency photocatalytic membranes. [Display omitted] • Open up a facile way to fabricate photocatalytic membranes with high performance. • TiO 2 nanoparticles were spontaneously immobilized on PVDF fiber by self-assembly. • A self-assembly agent was suggested to immobilize the nano-scale photocatalyst. • This process maximizes the surface loading contents and photocatalytic reaction sites. • The developed membrane showed outstanding performance, stability, and reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The device performance of photovoltaics with a polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structure, consisting of DT-PDPP2T-TT donor polymer and poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]phenyl-C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester (PC 61 BM) acceptor compound, was investigated as a function of co-solvent composition. An enhancement of the photocurrent density and fill factor is observed in diodes made by spin-coating with chloroform mixed with ortho -dichlorobenzene, which allows a significantly higher device efficiency of 5.55% compared to diodes made from neat chloroform (efficiency = 3.61%). To clarify the role of the co-solvent, we investigated the nanoscale morphology with AFM, TEM and 2D-GIWAXS techniques and also the free-charge carrier mobility via space-charge limited current theory. We obtained the result that, under such supersaturated conditions, co-solvents induce increased polymer crystalline aggregation into a 3D phase structure and boost charge-carrier transport characteristics. This provides a rational basis for the development of ideally-controlled BHJ films that yield efficient DT-PDPP2T-TT:PCBM solar cells. Therefore, carefully selecting solvent mixtures provides an approach toward efficient low bandgap polymer solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, stamping transfer process using by soft mold or film has been considered by promising technology to solve the drawbacks of spin coating such as deposition of large area and specific region, reducing the material loss, and multi-staking device structures. For the previous researches, polyurethane acrylate (PUA) stamp was essentially treated the 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane (FOTS) for self-assembled monolayer (SAM) onto the Si wafer to modify surface energy. Because the FOTS is known as corrosive material, it is necessary to develop the intrinsic property of PUA with environment friendly. In this research, we investigates non-FOTS based PUA stamping transfer and the different surface energy properties that result in various physical phenomena when used for organic photovoltaics. To transfer the material, the energy release rate (G) between the PUA and the coated material should be smaller than the G between the coated material and the substrate. As a result, hydrophilic PUA was used to reduce the interaction between the PUA and the organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) layer to transfer the BHJ layer from the PUA stamp to a PEDOT:PSS-coated ITO-substrate. 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) is included as the reactive diluent to reduce the PUA viscosity, and the contact angle was measured to compare the surface property between the reference PUA and the HEMA-PUA. The stamping-transferred BHJ device exhibits a 95% relative efficiency (2.9%) when compared to that obtained when using a spin-coating process, which is considered as a good alternative to fabricate optoelectronic devices. More importantly, we have found a decrease in the fill factor (64%–58%) and a comparable performance (3.0%–2.9%) derived from the increase in the charge recombination and resistance during the stamping transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Loosening effect of CN promotes stable nucleation due to its structural specificity. • Enlarged grains by CN effect contributed to the suppression of shunt and dark current. • Promising application for photodetecor device was proved with superior detectivity. • Role of CN to control intermolecular interaction was demonstrated by FT-IR and XRD. • The enhanced perovskite crystallinity induced better charge carrier properties. In this study, chloronaphthalene (CN) with unique physicochemical properties is incorporated in perovskite nucleation environment to fabricate high-quality photosensitive layer. Specifically, CN has a high boiling point and a bulky naphthalene ring, which induces a steric hindrance in the perovskite adduct phase. Thus, CN delays intermolecular interactions and promotes a stable nucleation environment, which provides sufficient time for the perovskite grains to grow. This is the loosening effect by CN. In this context, this results in the formation of enlarged grains with higher crystallinity for the CN-treated film, based on the LaMer model. According to the increased grain size, the length of grain boundaries which are the pathways to cause ohmic shunt get longer, resulting higher shunt resistance. As a result of the suppressed ohmic shunt and lower dark current density, the outstanding photodetector performance, especially detectivity was confirmed. Through LDR analysis, the possibility of applications under various light conditions was demonstrated. Moreover, better charge transfer and recombination properties were confirmed by PL and impedance analysis. As a result of observing the photodetector parameters for about 1000 h, improved device stability was proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]