Chemical Passivation and Crystallization Kinetics Regulation for Enhancing Efficiency and Stability of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

Why It Matters

The breakthrough demonstrates that additive‑driven chemistry can simultaneously lift efficiency and durability, key hurdles for commercial perovskite photovoltaics.

Key Takeaways

• MSB additive delays perovskite crystallization.
• Grain size increases, internal strain released.
• Multi‑site passivation reduces defect density.
• Device reaches 25.17% efficiency, 1000 h T90.
• Thermal and moisture stability significantly improved.

Pulse Analysis

Perovskite photovoltaics have surged in research labs due to their high theoretical efficiency and low‑cost processing, yet large‑scale deployment remains hampered by instability and reproducibility issues. Additive engineering—introducing small molecules that interact with the perovskite precursor—has emerged as a pragmatic route to control film formation. By tailoring the crystallization kinetics, additives can dictate grain growth, phase purity, and residual strain, all of which directly influence carrier transport and long‑term reliability. The MSB molecule exemplifies this approach, leveraging its electron‑withdrawing sulfonyl group and hydrogen‑rich amidinium moiety to orchestrate a slower nucleation pathway while chemically anchoring to lead sites.

The dual functionality of MSB yields a perovskite layer with markedly larger grains and fewer trap states. Larger grains diminish grain‑boundary recombination, while the multi‑site passivation curtails both surface and bulk defects that typically accelerate moisture ingress and thermal degradation. Consequently, the inverted device architecture not only reaches a champion 25.17% power conversion efficiency—a figure rivaling the best silicon cells—but also sustains over 1,000 hours of 90% performance retention under continuous operation. This combination of high efficiency and operational longevity addresses two of the most critical metrics investors and manufacturers monitor.

From a market perspective, such advances narrow the gap between laboratory prototypes and commercially viable modules. The ability to achieve both record efficiency and robust stability with a simple additive step simplifies scale‑up, reduces processing complexity, and aligns with existing roll‑to‑roll coating techniques. As the solar industry seeks alternatives to silicon to meet aggressive renewable targets, MSB‑enabled perovskite solar cells could accelerate adoption, drive down levelized cost of electricity, and open new opportunities in building‑integrated photovoltaics and portable power solutions.