Surface Passivation of Perovskite Films via Iodide Salt Coatings for Enhanced Stability of Organic Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

Organic-inorganic halide perovskite materials have emerged as attractive alternatives to conventional solar cells, but device stability remains a concern. Recent research has demonstrated that the formation of superoxide species under exposure of the perovskite to light and oxygen leads to the degradation of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskites. In particular, it has been revealed that iodide vacancies in the perovskite are key sites in facilitating superoxide formation from oxygen. This paper shows that passivation of CH3NH3PbI3 films with an iodide salt, namely phenylethylammonium iodide (PhEtNH3I) can significantly enhance film and device stability under light and oxygen stress, without compromising power conversion efficiency. These observations are consistent with the iodide salt treatment reducing iodide vacancies and therefore lowers the yield of superoxide formation and improves stability. The present study elucidates a pathway to the future design and optimization of perovskite solar cells with greater stability.