Spectacular Enhancement of the Thermal and Photochemical Stability of MAPbI₃ Perovskite Films Using Functionalized Tetraazaadamantane as a Molecular Modifier

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells represent a highly promising third-generation photovoltaic technology. However, their practical implementation is hindered by low device operational stability, mostly related to facile degradation of the absorber materials under exposure to light and elevated temperatures. Improving the intrinsic stability of complex lead halides is a big scientific challenge, which might be addressed using various “molecular modifiers”. These modifiers are usually represented by some additives undergoing strong interactions with the perovskite absorber material, resulting in enhanced solar cell efficiency and/or operational stability. Herein, we present a derivative of 1,4,6,10-tetraazaadamantane, NAdCl, as a promising molecular modifier for lead halide perovskites. NAdCl spectacularly improved both the thermal and photochemical stability of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) films and, most importantly, prevented the formation of metallic lead Pb0 as a photolysis product. NAdCl improves the electronic quality of perovskite films by healing the traps for charge carriers. Furthermore, it strongly interacts with the perovskite framework and most likely stabilizes undercoordinated Pb2+ ions, which are responsible for Pb0 formation under light exposure. The obtained results feature 1,4,6,10-tetraazaadamantane derivatives as highly promising molecular modifiers that might help to improve the operational lifetime of perovskite solar cells and facilitate the practical implementation of this photovoltaic technology.

Keywords

• perovskite solar cells
• complex lead halides
• photostability
• thermal stability
• molecular additives
• molecular modifiers