This work provides an efficient way to facilitate both electron and hole extraction in the designated interfaces of perovskite solar cells. A record power conversion efficiency of 23.6% for mixed Sn–Pb perovskite solar cell devices is realized.

The toxicity of lead perovskite hampers the commercialization of perovskite-based photovoltaics. While tin perovskite is a promising alternative, the facile oxidation of tin(II) to tin(IV) causes a high density of defects, resulting in lower solar cell efficiencies. Here, we show that tin(0) nanoparticles in the precursor solution can scavenge tin(IV) impurities, and demonstrate that this treatment leads to effectively tin(IV)-free perovskite films with strong photoluminescence and prolonged decay lifetimes. These nanoparticles are generated by the selective reaction of a dihydropyrazine derivative with the tin(II) fluoride additive already present in the precursor solution. Using this nanoparticle treatment, the power conversion efficiency of tin-based solar cells reaches 11.5%, with an open-circuit voltage of 0.76 V. Our nanoparticle treatment is a simple and broadly effective method that improves the purity and electrical performance of tin perovskite films.

Maltol, a metal binding agent, effectively passivates defects on the surface of mixed lead–tin perovskite films. The carrier lifetimes of the resultant perovskite films are over 7 μs. The solar cell devices exhibit efficiencies of up to 21.4%.

Interfaces in thin‐film photovoltaics play a pivotal role in determining device efficiency and longevity. In this work, the top surface treatment of mixed tin–lead (≈1.26 eV) halide perovskite films for p–i–n solar cells is studied. Charge extraction is promoted by treating the perovskite surface with piperazine. This compound reacts with the organic cations at the perovskite surface, modifying the surface structure and tuning the interfacial energy level alignment. In addition, the combined treatment with C60 pyrrolidine tris‐acid (CPTA) reduces hysteresis and leads to efficiencies up to 22.7%, with open‐circuit voltage values reaching 0.90 V, ≈92% of the radiative limit for the bandgap of this material. The modified cells also show superior stability, with unencapsulated cells retaining 96% of their initial efficiency after >2000 h of storage in N2 and encapsulated cells retaining 90% efficiency after >450 h of storage in air. Intriguingly, CPTA preferentially binds to Sn2+ sites at film surface over Pb2+ due to the energetically favored exposure of the former, according to first‐principles calculations. This work provides new insights into the surface chemistry of perovskite films in terms of their structural, electronic, and defect characteristics and this knowledge is used to fabricate state‐of‐the‐art solar cells.

Mixed composition metal–halide perovskites were developed to improve the performance of perovskite solar cell devices incorporating tin(iv) oxide substrates for electron transport layers by optimizing the I/Br halide ion ratio.

Hole-collecting monolayers have drawn attention in perovskite solar cell research due to their ease of processing, high performance, and good durability. Since molecules in the hole-collecting monolayer are typically composed of functionalized π-conjugated structures, hole extraction is expected to be more efficient when the π-cores are oriented face-on with respect to the adjacent surfaces. However, strategies for reliably controlling the molecular orientation in monolayers remain elusive. In this work, multiple phosphonic acid anchoring groups were used to control the molecular orientation of a series of triazatruxene derivatives chemisorbed on a transparent conducting oxide electrode surface. Using infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy and metastable atom electron spectroscopy, we found that multipodal derivatives align face-on to the electrode surface, while the monopodal counterpart adopts a more tilted configuration. The face-on orientation was found to facilitate hole extraction, leading to inverted perovskite solar cells with enhanced stability and high-power conversion efficiencies up to 23.0%.

Perovskite interfaces critically influence the final performance of the photovoltaic devices. Optimizing them by reducing the defect densities or improving the contact with the charge transporting material is key to further enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. Inverted (p–i–n) devices can particularly benefit here, as evident from various successful attempts. However, every reported strategy is adapted to specific cell structures and compositions, affecting their robustness and applicability by other researchers. In this work, we present the universality of perovskite top surface post-treatment with ethylene­diammonium diiodide (EDAI2) for p–i–n devices. To prove it, we compare devices bearing perovskite films of different composition, i.e., Sn-, Pb-, and mixed Sn–Pb-based devices, achieving efficiencies of up to 11.4, 22.0, and 22.9%, respectively. A careful optimization of the EDAI2 thickness indicates a different tolerance for Pb- and Sn-based devices. The main benefit of this treatment is evident in the open-circuit voltage, with enhancements of up to 200 mV for some compositions. In addition, we prove that this treatment can be successfully applied by both wet (spin-coating) and dry (thermal evaporation) methods, regardless of the composition. The versatility of this treatment makes it highly appealing for industrial application, as it can be easily adapted to specific processing requirements. We present a detailed experimental protocol, aiming to provide the community with an easy, universal perovskite post-treatment method for reliably improving the device efficiency, highlighting the potential of interfaces for the field.

Carrier extraction is a key issue which limits the efficiency of perovskite solar cells. In this work, carrier extraction is improved by modifying the perovskite layers with a combination of ethylenediammonium diiodide post-treatment and glycine hydrochloride additive. Ethylenediammonium dications primarily affect the top surface of the perovskite films, while glycinium cations preferentially accumulate at the bottom region. The top and bottom interface modifications improve the crystallinity of the perovskite films and lower the density of electrical traps via surface passivation effects, resulting in long charge carrier lifetimes. The orientated aggregation of the ethylenediammonium and glycinium cations at the charge collection interfaces result in the formation of surface dipoles, which facilitate charge extraction. The performance of the treated solar cell devices also increases. The fill factor rose to 0.82, and the power conversion efficiency reaches 23.6% (23.1% certified). The open circuit voltage reaches 0.91 V, just 0.06 V below the Shockley–Queisser limit. The unencapsulated devices also show improved stability under AM 1.5G, retaining over 80% of the initial efficiency after 200 h continuous operation in inert atmosphere. Our strategy is also successfully applied to centimeter-scale devices, with efficiencies up to 21.0%.