Mechanisms and Suppression of Photoinduced Degradation in Perovskite Solar Cells

Solar cells based on metal halide perovskites have reached a power conversion efficiency as high as 25%. Their booming efficiency, feasible processability, and good compatibility with large-scale deposition techniques make perovskite solar cells (PSCs) desirable candidates for next-generation photovoltaic devices. Despite these advantages, the lifespans of solar cells are far below the industry-needed 25 years. In fact, numerous PSCs throughout the literature show severely hampered stability under illumination. Herein, several photoinduced degradation mechanisms are discussed. With light radiation, the organic-inorgainc perovskites are prone to phase segregation or chemical decomposition; the oxide electron transport layers (ETLs) tend to introduce new defects at the interface; the commonly used small molecules-based hole transport layers (HTLs) typically suffer from poor photostability and dopant diffusion during device operation. It has been demonstrated the photoinduced degradation can take place in every functional layer, including the active layer, ETL, HTL, and their interfaces. An overview of these degradation categories is provided in this review, in the hope of encouraging further research and optimization of relevant devices.

Automated summary

Solar cells based on metal halide perovskites have high efficiency but suffer from photoinduced degradation mechanisms, including phase segregation or chemical decomposition in organic-inorganic perovskites, introduction of defects by oxide electron transport layers, and poor photostability of small molecules-based hole transport layers. Improvement in stability is needed for future optimization of relevant devices.