4-tert-Butylpyridine
CAS Number 3978-81-2
Perovskite Interface Materials, Perovskite Materials, Semiconducting Molecules
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4-tert-Butylpyridine, high purity semiconducting molecule
An additive in electrolytes of DSSCs and used in HTL materials of PSCs
Together with our ultra pure LiTFSi and sublimed Spiro-MeOTAD, 4-tert-Butylpyridine (also with high purity over 98.0%) is an ideal candidate for your perovskite solar cells research.
General Information
CAS number | 3978-81-2 |
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Chemical formula | C9H13N |
Molecular weight | 135.21 g/mol |
HOMO/LUMO | HOMO 5.9 eV, LUMO 2.4 eV |
Synonyms | TBP, Pyridine 4-tert-butyl |
Classification / Family | Pyridine Derivatives, Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells (DSSC), OLEDs, Perovskite HTL Materials, Electrolyte materials. |
Product Details
Purity | > 98.0% |
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Boiling point | 196-197 °C (lit.) |
Density | 0.923 g/mL at 25 °C |
Colour | Light yellow clear liquid |
Chemical Structure

Applications
4-tert-Butylpyridine (TBP) is widely used as additive in electrolytes of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSC) and in hole transport layer materials (HTL) of polymer photovoltaics and perovskite solar cells.
Despite the high volatility and unpleasant smell, 4-tert-butylpyridine is usually added into HTM to suppress charge-recombination and further improve the properties of HTM and ensure the high efficiency perovskite solar cells. It has been demonstrated that the flexible and facile use of 4-tert-Butylpyridine can improve the crystallinity of perovskite, PCEs of CH3NH3PbI3-based PSCs were improved from 6.71% to 10.62% (i.e., 58% enhancement) [1].
By introduction of Li-TFSI/TBP additives in poly-3-hexylthiophene HTM for CH3NH3PbI3/P3HT perovskite mesoscopic solar cells, great enhancement of the device efficiency from 5.7% to 13.7% was achieved [2].
Device structure |
CH3NH3PbI3-based planar PSCs without TBP* [1] |
CH3NH3PbI3-based planar PSCs with TBP [1] |
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JSC (mA cm-2) | 17.12 | 21.27 |
VOC (V) | 0.92 | 0.96 |
FF (%) | 43 | 52 |
PCE (best) | 6.71 | 10.62 |
Device structure |
FTO/bl-TiO2/TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3/ P3HT:LiTFSI/Au [2] |
FTO/bl-TiO2/TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3/ P3HT:LiTFSI:TBP/Au [2] |
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JSC (mA cm-2) | 15.5 | 20.1 |
VOC (V) | 0.67 | 0.92 |
FF (%) | 55 | 74 |
PCE (best) | 5.7 | 13.7 |
*4-tert-Butylpyridine as an additive resulted in orientational and better crystallinity
Characterisation (NMR and HPLC)


Literature and Reviews
- Effects of 4-tert-butylpyridine on perovskite formation and performance of solution-processed perovskite solar cells, Y. Shi et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 3, 22191-22198 (2015). DOI: 10.1039/C5TA05988G.
- CH3NH3PbI3/poly-3-hexylthiophen perovskite mesoscopic solar cells: Performance enhancement by Li-assisted hole conduction, J-H. Heo et al., Phys. Status Solidi RRL 8, No. 10, 816–821 (2014). DOI 10.1002/pssr.201409330.
- Influence of alkylpyridine additives in electrolyte solution on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cell, H. Kusama et al., Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 80, 167–179 (2003). doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2003.08.001.
- A dual functional additive for the HTM layer in perovskite solar cells, H. Zhang et al., Chem. Commun., 50, 5020–5022 (2014). DOI: 10.1039/C3CC49458F.
To the best of our knowledge the information provided here is accurate. The values provided are typical at the time of manufacture and may vary over time and from batch to batch. Products may have minor cosmetic differences (e.g. to the branding) compared to the photos on our website. All products are for laboratory and research and development use only.