Surface Treatment of Perovskite Layer with Guanidinium Iodide Leads to Enhanced Moisture Stability and Improved Efficiency of Perovskite Solar Cells

Interfacial engineering between the perovskite and hole transport layers has emerged as an effective way to improve perovskite solar cell (PSC) performance. A variety of organic halide salts are developed to passivate the traps and enhance the charge carrier transport. Here, the use of guanidinium iodide (GuaI) for interfacial modification of mixed-cation (Cs)(x)(FA)(1-x)PbI3 perovskite films, which results in the formation of a low-dimensional delta-FAPbI(3)-like phase on the 3D perovskite surface, is reported. The presence of this thin layer facilitates charge transfer at interfaces and reduces charge carrier recombination pathways as evidenced by enhanced carrier lifetimes and favorable interfacial band alignment. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of the control device is boosted from 19.22% to 20.07%, mainly due to improved open-circuit voltage (V-oc) and fill factor. Furthermore, the post-treatment with GuaI improves the moisture stability of perovskite polycrystalline films and ambient stability of PSCs.