Implementing an intermittent spin-coating strategy to enable bottom-up crystallization in layered halide perovskites

Two-dimensional halide perovskites (2D PVSKs) have drawn tremendous attentions owing to their outstanding ambient stability. However, the random orientation of layered crystals severely impedes the out-of-plane carrier transport and limits the solar cell performance. An in-depth understanding coupled with an effective control of the crystallization in 2D PVSKs is the crux for highly efficient and durable devices. In this contribution, we accidentally discovered that the crystallization of 2D PVSKs can be effectively regulated by so-called ' intermittent spin-coating (ISC)' process. Combined analyses of in(ex)-situ grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry distinguish the interface initialized bottom-up crystallization upon ISC treatment from the bi-directional one in the conventional spin-coating process, which results in significantly enhanced crystal orientation and thus facilitated carrier transport as confirmed by both electrical measurements and ultrafast spectroscopies. As a result, the p-i-n architecture planar solar cells based on ISC fabricated paradigm PEA(2)MA(3)Pb(4)I(13) deliver a respectable efficiency of 11.2% without any treatment, which is three-fold improvement over their spin-coated counterparts and can be further boosted up to 14.0% by NH4Cl addition, demonstrating the compatibility of ISC method with other film optimization strategies. Random orientation of layered crystals in 2D perovksites impedes the out-of-plnae carriers transport and hence undermines the photovoltaic perofrmance. Here, the authors discover that the crystallisation can be regulated by intermittent spin-coating strategy.

Automated summary

The random orientation of layered crystals in 2D perovskites impedes the out-of-plane carriers transport and hence undermines the photovoltaic performance. Here, the authors discover that the crystallization can be regulated by intermittent spin-coating strategy, significantly enhancing crystal orientation and carrier transport, leading to a substantial improvement in solar cell efficiency.