High-performance perovskite solar cells based on passivating interfacial and intergranular defects

Abstract Planar-structure perovskite solar cells have attracted more and more attention, because their simple and low-temperature preparation processing. However, the performance of perovskite solar cells is currently limited by defect-induced recombination at interfaces between perovskite and charge transport layers. In this work, a filmy poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) layer introduced in Perovskite/Spiro-OMeTAD interface to passivate the interfacial and interganular defects, by which a high open-circuit voltage (1.18 V) is acquired, and the optimal device shows a steady-state power conversion efficiency of 20.5% and negligible hysteresis. Femtosecond transient absorption measurement confirms a significant reduction in non-radiative recombination for passivated devices. Mott-Schottky measurement indicates improved flat band potential and carrier density in passivated devices, consisting with the increased voltage. In addition, PMMA film can protect perovskite film from moisture and oxygen erosion. The unsealed device still maintains 95% of the initial efficiency under ambient conditions with 60% relative humidity for one month. This approach solves one of the main limitations of interfacial recombination and shows its potential to improve the performance of perovskite solar cells in the future.