Highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells enabled by low-dimensional perovskitoids

Deep traps originated from the defects formed at the surfaces and grain boundaries of the perovskite absorbers during their lattice assembly are the main reasons that cause nonradiative recombination and material degradation, which notably affect efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we demonstrate the substantially improved PSC performance by capping the photoactive layer with low-dimensional (LD) perovskitoids. The undercoordinated Pb ions and metallic Pb at the surfaces of the three-dimensional (3D) perovskite are effectively passivated via the Pb-I bonding from the favorably lattice-matched 3D/LD interface. The good stability and hydrophobicity of the LD (0D and 1D) perovskitoids allow excellent protection of the 3D active layer under severe environmental conditions. The PSC exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 24.18%, reproduced in an accredited independent photovoltaic testing laboratory. The unencapsulated device maintains 90% of its initial efficiency after 800 hours of continuous illumination under maximum power point operating conditions.