Combining Efficiency and Stability in Mixed Tin-Lead Perovskite Solar Cells by Capping Grains with an Ultra-thin 2D layer

The development of narrow-bandgap (Eg ~ 1.2 eV) mixed tin-lead (Sn-Pb) halide perovskites enables all-perovskite tandem solar cells. Whereas pure-lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have advanced simultaneously in efficiency and stability, achieving this crucial combination remains a challenge in Sn-Pb PSCs. Here Sn-Pb perovskite grains are anchored with ultra-thin layered perovskites to overcome the efficiency-stability tradeoff. Defect passivation is achieved both on the perovskite film surface and at grain boundaries, an approach implemented by directly introducing phenethylammonium ligands in the antisolvent. This improves device operational stability and also avoids the excess formation of layered perovskites that would otherwise hinder charge transport. Sn-Pb PSCs with fill factors of 79% and a certified PCE of 18.95% are reported - among the highest for Sn-Pb PSCs. Using this approach, a 200-fold enhancement in device operating lifetime is achieved relative to the non-passivated Sn-Pb PSCs under full AM1.5G illumination, and a 200-hour diurnal operating time without efficiency drop is achieved under filtered AM1.5G illumination.