Heterogeneous Supersaturation in Mixed Perovskites

Adv Sci (Weinh). 2020 Feb 8;7(7):1903166. doi: 10.1002/advs.201903166. eCollection 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Thin-film solar cells based on hybrid lead halide perovskites have achieved certified power conversion efficiencies exceeding 24%, approaching those of crystalline silicon. This motivates deeper studies of the mechanisms that determine their performance. Twin defect sites have been proposed as a source of traps in perovskites, yet their origin and influence on photovoltaic performance remain unclear. It is found that twin defects-observed herein via both transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction-are correlated with the amount of antisolvent added to the perovskite and that twin defects in the highest-performing perovskite photovoltaics are suppressed. Heterogeneous supersaturation nucleation is discussed as a contributor to efficient perovskite-based optoelectronic devices.

Keywords: defects; perovskites; traps; twins.