Radiation tolerance, high temperature stability, and self-healing of triple halide perovskite solar cells

F A0.8Cs0.2PbI2.4 Br0.6CI0.02 triple halide perovskite solar cells are studied for potential space power applications including exposure to high temperatures and variable radiation conditions. The radiation tolerance of these devices is investigated in response to increasing levels of proton irradiation and fluence. Parameters were chosen to investigate the relative effects of nuclear displacement and electron ionization processes upon the solar cells being assessed. The change in the photovoltaic (PV) parameters was monitored with regards to energy and fluence of irradiation at various temperatures. The experimental results indicated a considerable reduction in the PV parameters affecting Jsc and FF with minimal effect on Voc as the energy and fluence of the irradiation increased. However, a suite of complementary measurements suggests that while the irradiation negatively affects the transporting layers and interfaces in the devices: the perovskite absorber is not affected in any significant way. Moreover, these systems were observed to self-heal under ambient conditions in the dark demonstrating the unique behavior of perovskite solar cells and their potential for future space power systems. This is further substantiated by high temperature measurements that indicate that the system under investigation displays no appreciable loss up to 500 K, supporting in particular their potential as candidate systems for future lunar missions.