Perovskite Solar Cells: From Fabrication to Failure

Over the past decade, there have been tremendous advances in the design and fabrication of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The unique optoelectronic properties of lead halide perovskites have resulted in solution-processed solar cells with excellent efficiencies, and significant advances have now been made in both lab-scale and large-area devices. As the technology moves toward commercialization, it is increasingly important to understand the stability of the devices under operationally relevant conditions. What is the projected lifetime of a perovskite-based module? Which environmental factors (e.g., humidity, heat, light) are most pernicious? What is the precise mechanism of device failure? To this end, both in situ and operando characterization techniques have proven to be useful methods and have provided important information about perovskite crystallization, degradation, and transformation processes. This spotlight article discusses recent advances in PSCs from both a device fabrication and device failure perspective, highlighting our research group’s contributions along the way.