Incorporation of Poly(TFEMA) in Perovskite Thin Films Using a Supercritical Fluid

A new process is reported for the incorporation of a fluoropolymer into a solid perovskite film. Poly(trifluoroethyl methacrylate) [CH2C(CH3)(CO2CH2CF3)]n was delivered to methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite films by crystallizing the film in supercritical carbon dioxide/ethanol containing the dissolved fluoropolymer. The surface was characterized before and after fluoropolymer exposure using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. The results indicate that the fluoropolymer was incorporated into the perovskite film during the supercritical fluid crystallization process. The incorporation of a hydrophobic fluoropolymer into perovskite has the potential to improve resistance to environmental degradation.