journal article·2026-03Open access

Uniform Monolithic Perovskite Films for Scalable Modules: Anti‐Solvent‐Free Crystallization via Seed Priming and Vacuum Processing

Sun‐Ju Kim, Seungyeon Hong, Dong‐Geon Kwun, Yu Jin Kang, Thanh‐Danh Nguyen, In Hwa Cho, Sung Hun Lee, Gyeong‐Cheon Choi, Geun‐young Yoon, Siyeon Seo, Weifan Luo, Ghewa Alsabeh, Dong‐Hwan Hwang, Min Jun Choi, Jong‐Min Kim, Olzhas Kurman, Dong‐Ok Kim, Sohyun Park, Jong H. Kim, O‐Pil Kwon, Jovana V. Milić, Michael Grätzel, Do‐Hyung Kim, Hyo Jung Kim, Ji‐Youn Seo

Advanced Energy Materials· Volume 16· Issue 12

Abstract

ABSTRACT Scaling high‐efficiency perovskite solar cells into commercially viable modules remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate a seed‐primed, vacuum‐assisted crystallization (S‐VAC) strategy that links oleylamine‐induced α‐phase nanocrystal seeding to vacuum‐driven vertical crystal growth. Complementary in situ characterization, including time‐resolved GIWAXS, solution‐state NMR, and dynamic light scattering (DLS), reveals that oleylamine forms uniform ≈1.7 nm α‐phase seeds in the precursor solution via hydrogen bonding with FA + cations and steric stabilization. These seeds prime the substrate for controlled, single‐crystal‐like vertical growth under low‐pressure vacuum processing, thereby eliminating the need for toxic antisolvents. The resulting monolithic perovskite films exhibit strong (100) texture and high uniformity across 15 × 15 cm 2 substrates. Using S‐VAC, we achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.2% for 2.5 × 2.5 cm 2 devices and a certified efficiency of 19.1% for 15 × 15 cm 2 mini‐modules. Encapsulated modules retain >94% of their initial efficiency after one year of continuous outdoor operation. By establishing a molecular‐level basis for oleylamine‐assisted seed formation and demonstrating scalable, antisolvent‐free processing, this work advances seed‐assisted crystallization and supports the practical commercialization of robust and sustainable perovskite photovoltaics.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Perovskite Materials and Applications · Machine Learning in Materials Science · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Nano Fusion Technology Pusan National University Busan Republic of Korea

School of Chemical Engineering Pusan National University Busan Republic of Korea

Perovskite Team Convergence Technology Laboratory KEPCO Research Institute Daejeon Republic of Korea

Department of Nano‐semiconductor Process & Equipments Pusan National University Busan Republic of Korea

Adolphe Merkle Institute University of Fribourg Fribourg Switzerland

Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland

Department of Molecular Science and Technology Ajou University Suwon Republic of Korea

Department of Organic Material Science and Engineering College of Engineering Pusan National University Busan Republic of Korea

Funding

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy · Korea Electric Power Corporation · National Research Foundation of Korea

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