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Role of Microstructure in Oxygen Induced Photodegradation of Methylammonium Lead Triiodide Perovskite Films
Author(s) -
Sun Qing,
Fassl Paul,
BeckerKoch David,
Bausch Alexandra,
Rivkin Boris,
Bai Sai,
Hopkinson Paul E.,
Snaith Henry J.,
Vaynzof Yana
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201700977
Subject(s) - microstructure , materials science , perovskite (structure) , degradation (telecommunications) , triiodide , photodegradation , oxygen , grain boundary , chemical engineering , dissolution , nanotechnology , catalysis , composite material , photocatalysis , electrolyte , electrode , chemistry , organic chemistry , electronic engineering , dye sensitized solar cell , engineering
This paper investigates the impact of microstructure on the degradation rate of methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI 3 ) perovskite films upon exposure to light and oxygen. By comparing the oxygen induced degradation of perovskite films of different microstructure–fabricated using either a lead acetate trihydrate precursor or a solvent engineering technique–it is demonstrated that films with larger and more uniform grains and better electronic quality show a significantly reduced degradation compared to films with smaller, more irregular grains. The effect of degradation on the optical, compositional, and microstructural properties of the perovskite layers is characterized and it is demonstrated that oxygen induced degradation is initiated at the layer surface and grain boundaries. It is found that under illumination, irreversible degradation can occur at oxygen levels as low as 1%, suggesting that degradation can commence already during the device fabrication stage. Finally, this work establishes that improved thin‐film microstructure, with large uniform grains and a low density of defects, is a prerequisite for enhanced stability necessary in order to make MAPbI 3 a promising long lived and low cost alternative for future photovoltaic applications.