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Inferior morphology of perovskite films and suppressed hole extraction restricts the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a PEDOT:PSS hole transporting layer (HTL). In this work, poly-TPD is used to modify the surface of PEDOT:PSS films in PSC. The presence of hydrophobic poly-TPD decreases the nucleation sites, and as a result, perovskite films with larger grains are obtained. Improved energy level alignment in the presence of poly-TPD results in enhanced hole extraction from the perovskite layer to the HTL. The improved morphology and charge extraction resulted in improved photovoltaic performance. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs was increased from 13.6% to 16.1% with the incorporation of poly-TPD. Also, the shelf life of the PSCs has exhibited considerable improvement due to the presence of hydrophobic poly-TPD and fewer number of grain boundaries. After 66 days, the PSC with poly-TPD maintained 96% of its initial PCE, whereas the PCE of the control device degraded to 72% of its initial value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel asymmetric phthalocyanine derivatives, ZnPc-1 and ZnPc-2, are synthesized to enhance charge transfer properties and mitigate deep-level traps on the perovskite surface using electron-rich nitrogen atoms. PSCs with ZnPc-1 and ZnPc-2 as hole-transporting materials (HTMs) achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 12.11% and 8.98%, respectively. Incorporating a small amount of PMMA into the HTM solution significantly improved performance, resulting in PCEs of 16.2% and 12.5% for ZnPc-1 and ZnPc-2, respectively. The addition of PMMA enhances conductivity and prevents moisture intrusion, boosting both the efficiency and stability of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, various approaches and methods have been developed for the construction of high performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The lead (Pb)‐based PSCs demonstrated excellent performance but suffers from low stability and presence of toxic Pb. Thus, a rapid surge in the development of Pb free PSCs has been observed. Recently, various Pb free elements such as germanium (Ge), bismuth, tin and antimony based materials were adopted as absorber materials. Among these, Ge halide based absorber materials have received significant attention for the development of Pb free PSCs. Despite the exceptional optoelectronic properties of Ge‐based perovskite structures, the efficiency of resulting PSCs remains lower compared to their Pb‐based PSCs. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in the simulation studies of PSCs using solar cell capacitance simulation‐one dimensional (SCAPS‐1D) method. Numerous reports have emerged from different research groups simulating various Ge‐based PSCs via SCAPS‐1D. These simulation studies have shown promise in aiding the development of Pb‐free PSCs. In this mini‐review, previously reported literature on Ge‐based PSCs for experimental studies and simulation studies via SCAPS‐1D had been amassed. We believe that present mini review article will attract scientific researchers engaged in experimental and theoretical investigations of Ge‐based PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective utilization of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) has indeed resulted in significant improvement in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the poor interface contact between self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) and perovskite layers limits the further improvement of inverted PSCs. Herein, polyaniline is employed as a conductive adhesive, enabling interaction with the perovskite and simultaneous coupling with the SAM, to optimize the buried interface contact. Furthermore, the adhesive strategy is validated to alleviate residual tensile strain at the buried interface using the non‐destructive back grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (BGIWAXS) technique. As a result, the optimized inverted PSCs achieve a champion PCE of 25.59% with impressive stability by retaining 97.3% of its initial efficiency after 1200 h under ambient conditions and light‐emitting diode illumination. The findings provide a facial adhesive bridging strategy to play more impressive functions in the SAM‐based inverted PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), as the forefront of third‐generation solar technology, are distinguished by their cost‐effectiveness, high photovoltaic efficiency, and the flexibility of their bandgap tunability, positioning them as formidable contenders in the photovoltaic market. However, the stability of PSCs remains a significant barrier to their widespread commercialization. Lamination encapsulation is identified as a pivotal intervention to enhance the durability of PSCs under external environmental stress. This review initiates with an in‐depth exploration of the degradation phenomena in PSCs, triggered by environmental stressors such as water, oxygen, light, and heat. This analysis lays bare the degradation mechanisms, thereby highlighting the specific demands for effective encapsulation materials. Subsequently, the review presents a systematic discourse on the latest developments in encapsulation materials, dissecting their molecular structures and linking these to their physical properties and performance in encapsulation applications. The narrative concludes by charting potential future research pathways intended to refine and enhance the encapsulation performance of PSCs, offering several routes for overcoming current limitations and propelling PSCs toward their full commercial potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are influenced by various factors, such as controlling the migration of iodide anion (I−) and lithium cation (Li+), oxidizing the hole‐transport material of 2,2′,7,7′‐tetras(N,N‐p‐methoxyaniline)‐9,9′‐spirodifluorene (Spiro), and passivating the perovskite film. Herein, three multifunctional crown‐ether‐iodine (crown‐ether‐I2) supra‐molecules are investigated as activities in the hole transport layers (HTLs). Results indicate that the crown‐ether‐I2 can slowly release I2 to gently oxidize Spiro, and significantly improve the efficiency of PSCs. Moreover, the crown‐ether can contribute to stabilizing Li+ in HTL and passivating the defect sites on the upper interface of the perovskite layer, which can enhance the long‐term stability of PSCs. Furthermore, crown‐ether‐I2 can absorb I− to produce crown‐ether‐I3−, which can discharge I− to promote the self‐healing of I− defects and inhibit the migration of I− in the perovskite film, thereby further enhancing PSC's long‐term stability. PSC based on Dbenzo‐24‐Crown‐8‐Ether‐Iodine (DB24C8‐I2) achieves an impressive efficiency of 24.29%, which is much higher than that of the control device (22.28%). Additionally, the stability of the un‐encapsulated PSC with DB24C8‐I2 is significantly enhanced, while maintaining 96.9% of its original efficiency after 2000 h. This work provides an effective strategy for improving the efficiency and long‐term stability of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain boundaries (GBs) and surface defects within perovskite films are inherent challenges that affect the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells  (PSCs. In this work, Nylon 11 (N11) is utilized, a long‐chain polymer, for post‐treating the GBs and surface defects within FAPbI3 films. The multifunctional groups of N11 exhibit unique passivation abilities, enabling self‐regulation and selective correction of reverse‐charged defects. Post‐treating with N11 results in high‐quality FAPbI3 films characterized by tight GBs and low surface defect density. Despite fabrication under full open‐air conditions, the N11 post‐treatment significantly enhances the power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of FAPbI3 PSCs, increasing it from the reference value of 21.89% to 23.54%. Importantly, the long alkyl chain present in N11 significantly enhances the humidity stability of the PSCs. Unencapsulated PSCs treated with N11 maintain 89% of their initial PCE after exposure to air with 30% relative humidity (RH) for 1000 h, demonstrating resilience to elevated humidity levels. This work highlights the substantial improvement in the photovoltaic performance of PSCs achieved through the post‐treatment with N11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient manipulation of crystallization and control over defects are crucial for optimizing the performance and durability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, a novel organic multifunctional additive, 2‐(furan‐3‐yl)ethanamine hydrochloride (FFEACl), is introduced which plays a pivotal role in regulating the crystallization process of FAPbI3. Incorporating FFEACl into the perovskite precursor solution effectively suppresses the formation of undesirable non‐perovskite phase impurities while promoting the oriented crystallization of the α‐phase FAPbI3. Moreover, the addition of FFEACl leads to a more uniform surface potential and reduced defect density in the resulting FAPbI3 film. Consequently, the top‐performing PSC exhibits an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.41%, along with enhanced operational stability. Notably, the fabricated PSCs maintain over 80% of their initial PCE even after 1000 h of continuous operation under one‐sun illumination. The findings present a facile and effective strategy for fabricating perovskite photovoltaic devices with exceptional performance and long‐term reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have witnessed a meteoric rise in device performance. However, maintaining photostability, particularly under thermal stress, remains a challenge due to defect formation in the perovskite layer. This study introduces europium (III) trifluoromethanesulfonate [Eu(OTF)3] as a multifunctional additive in two‐step processed perovskite films, significantly improving the performance and high‐temperature photostability of n‐i‐p PSCs. Density function theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the OTF− anion strongly coordinates with Pb2+, effectively inhibiting iodine vacancy defect formation. The addition of Eu(OTF)3 promotes perovskite grain growth to ≈2 µm and enhances film crystallinity. PSCs with a structure of ITO/SnO2/perovskite/PDCBT/NiOx/Au achieve a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.8%. Under 85 ± 5 °C and 1 sun illumination at an open circuit in ambient air, the PSCs with Eu(OTF)3 retain 82% of their initial PCE after aging for 1500 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coagulation, a fundamental and crucial operation in water treatment, has a long history of application in water/wastewater treatment processes. The efficiency of coagulation depends primarily on the quality, type, and quantity of coagulants used. Although aluminum or iron-based coagulants are the most commonly employed, polymeric silicate coagulants (PSCs) are less frequently utilized. However, the PSCs are promising candidates that deserve further exploration and examination of their potential applications. This review presents an examination of the advantages, synthesis theory, coagulation mechanism, and structure of PSCs. It also delves into the current limitations of these coagulants in research and the challenges that lie ahead for future studies. Finally, it offers some suggestions for future research directions. These discussions are intended to aid readers in comprehending the fundamental characteristics of these coagulants, enabling them to grasp their design methodologies and application area. This understanding can contribute to overcoming the limitations of this type of flocculants, further enhancing their effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nontoxic Sn‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) represent a promising alternative to Pb‐based PSCs, given their similar electronic properties and an ideal bandgap, accompanied by the highest theoretical efficiency (>33%). However, the performance of Sn‐based PSCs lags significantly behind their Pb‐based counterparts. This disparity arises from the susceptibility of Sn2+ to easy oxidation to Sn4+, an energy level mismatch, and fast crystilization. It is widely acknowledged that the oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+ results in severe P‐type doping, leading to increased recombination, which is a primary factor contributing to the lower device performance. In this perspective article, we summarized the utilization of metallic Sn in Sn‐based PSCs to facilitate the reduction of Sn4+ back to Sn2+. This approach is preferred due to its effectiveness, simplicity in process, and the absence of introducing additional impurities. Moreover, metallic Sn can serve as a source for synthesizing SnI2 and act as hole transport material through transformation from Sn to SnOx. We hope this article serve as a valuable reference for the ongoing development of Sn‐based materials in PSCs technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bottom perovskite with the hole transport layer (HTL) in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) interface has received little attention due to challenges like interlayer dissolution during perovskite deposition. And voids at the perovskite/HTL interface can degrade cell performance. This work introduces a two‐dimensional (2D) perovskite layer between the perovskite and poly (N, N′‐bis‐4‐butylphenyl‐N, N′‐bisphenyl) benzidine (Poly‐TPD) HTL using a mixed solution of 4‐methylphenethylammonium chloride (4M‐PEA‐Cl), methylammonium iodide (MA‐I), and Poly(9,9‐bis(3′‐(N,N‐dimethyl)‐N‐ethylammoinium‐propyl‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene))dibromide (PFN‐Br). The amine functional groups in the organic salts improved HTL wettability, resulting in a void‐free interface. 4M‐PEA‐Cl, with its strong electron‐withdrawing benzene ring, outperformed other amine‐containing salts in passivating undercoordinated Pb2+ ions. Incorporating this hybrid passivation layer in PSCs resulted in a 1.8% absolute increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) to 19.1% with 1.68 eV perovskite bandgap. Additionally, the passivated PSCs demonstrated enhanced operational stability, retaining 91% of their initial efficiency after 800 hours of continuous 1‐sun illumination, compared to 84.7% for the control sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly advancing field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), achieving the Shockley–Queisser efficiency limit is primarily hindered by nonradiative recombination losses. In this study, the strategic incorporation of chiral graphene quantum dots (GQDs) at the PSC interface is pioneered, significantly mitigating these losses through this chiral interface engineering. Also in this study, by synthesizing and characterizing the chiroptic behavior and doping effects of both chiral and racemic GQDs, their pivotal role in enhancing charge extraction and transport is unveiled. In the findings of this study, it is shown that GQDs do not alter the crystallization of perovskite films but significantly boost light absorption owing to improved interfacial contact. Subsequent optical and electrical assessments reveal that the PSCs treated with chiral GQDs outperform those with racemic GQDs, primarily on account of the chiral specificity of chiral GQDs, which leads to reduced nonradiative recombination and enhanced charge transport efficiency. In this work, not only the potential of chiral GQDs is underscored in elevating PSC efficiency but also a compelling proof of concept for chiral interface engineering is established as a key to unlocking the full potential of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commonly used hole transport layer (HTL) Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) still has some shortcomings that will limit the development of Pb–Sn perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, multifunctional ammonium sulfide (AS) is attempted to modify PEDOT:PSS/perovskite interface. AS has multiple effects on different functional layers and the device as a whole: a) optimize the perovskite crystallization by the formation of PbS nucleation sites; b) neutralize the acidity of PEDOT:PSS by reaction with PSS; c) promote carrier transport at HTL/perovskite interface by tuning the energy level of PEDOT:PSS. As a result, a power conversion efficiency of 24.23% is obtained in the reverse scanning direction and 23.84% in the steady‐state output power test for the single‐junction Pb–Sn PSCs, and 27.48% for all‐perovskite tandem solar cells. These results show that AS modification can be an effective way to boost the development of Pb–Sn PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PCE of layer–by–layer all–polymer solar cells is improved from 17.32% to 18.24% by introducing m –Ir(CPmPB) 3 into the PY–DT layer. The exciton diffusion distance of active layers can be increased by incorporating m –Ir(CPmPB) 3 in PY–DT layer, which is mainly due to the efficient energy transfer from m –Ir(CPmPB) 3 to PM6 and PY–DT prolonging the exciton lifetime in active layers. [Display omitted] The vertical phase distribution of active layers plays a vital role in balancing exciton dissociation and charge transport for achieving efficient polymer solar cells (PSCs). The layer–by–layer (LbL) PSCs are commonly prepared by using sequential spin–coating method from donor and acceptor solutions with distinct solvents and solvent additives. The enhanced exciton dissociation is expected in the LbL PSCs with efficient charge transport in the relatively neat donor or acceptor layers. In this work, a series of LbL all–polymer solar cells (APSCs) were fabricated with PM6 as donor and PY–DT as acceptor, and triplet material m –Ir(CPmPB) 3 is deliberately incorporated into PY–DT layer to prolong exciton lifetimes of active layers. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of LbL APSCs is improved to 18.24% from 17.32% by incorporating 0.3 wt% m –Ir(CPmPB) 3 in PY–DT layer, benefiting from the simultaneously enhanced short–circuit current density (J SC) of 25.17 mA cm−2 and fill factor (FF) of 74.70%. The enhancement of PCE is attributed to the efficient energy transfer of m –Ir(CPmPB) 3 to PM6 and PY–DT, resulting in the prolonged exciton lifetime in the active layer and the increased exciton diffusion distance. The efficient energy transfer from m –Ir(CPmPB) 3 to PM6 and PY–DT layer can be confirmed by the increased photoluminescence (PL) intensity and the prolonged PL lifetime of PM6 and PY–DT in PM6 + m –Ir(CPmPB) 3 and PY–DT + m –Ir(CPmPB) 3 films. This study indicates that the triplet material as solid additive has great potential in fabricating efficient LbL APSCs by prolonging exciton lifetimes in active layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preoptimizing perovskite films may generally improve the performance of the final perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the research on whether the film optimization fully contributes to the enhancement of the final PSCs has been long neglected. We demonstrated that the preparation of metal electrodes by high-vacuum thermal evaporation, an unavoidable step in almost all device fabrication processes, will damage the surface of perovskite films, resulting in component escape, defect density rebound, carrier extraction barrier, and film stability deterioration. Therefore, the prepared perovskite film and the final film actually working in devices are not exactly the same, and the contribution of film optimization to the device improvement was weakened. We designed a bilayer structure composed of graphene oxide and graphite flakes to eliminate the unwanted film inconsistencies and thus save the film optimization loss. Therefore, the efficient PSCs with power conversion efficiency of 25.55% were obtained, which demonstrated negligible photovoltaic performance loss after operating for 2000 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here robust Pb‐S covalency is successfully incorporated into CsPbI3 heterojunction by introducing a new zwitterionic organosulfide‐halide perovskite on top of CsPbI3. Cysteamine (CYS: +NH3(CH2)2S−) will react with PbCl2 and form a new 3D perovskite with much shallower fermi level on CsPbI3 surface, constructing an efficient CsPbI3/[CYS][PbCl2] heterojunction. As a result, interfacial energy loss can be significantly inhibited and device open‐circuit voltage (Voc) is increased to over 1.20 V with champion efficiency of 20.38% in inverted CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Besides, the intrinsic moisture and phase stability of [CYS][PbCl2] perovskite will effectively stabilize the CsPbI3 beneath owing to its robust Pb‐S covalency. PSCs with [CYS][PbCl2] exhibit significantly improved stability, whether in moist air or under continuous maximum power point (MPP) tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UV radiation presents a substantial challenge to the stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), limiting their applications in harsh environments such as outer space. Herein, UV‐resistant molecule octinoxate (OCT) is introduced to mitigate the adverse effects of UV irradiation. OCT additive demonstrates the capability to modulate the crystallization process, resulting in perovskite films with larger grains and enhanced crystallinity. Moreover, OCT doping also facilitates charge extraction in PSCs. The PSCs with OCT doping exhibit an enhanced efficiency, increasing from 22.46% to 24.64%, along with improved stability with a T85 of 1000 h under continuous light exposure. Functioning as a sunscreen material, OCT mitigates UV‐induced degradation by absorbing irradiation and hindering I2 escape. Even after continuous exposure to 18.7 kWh m−2 UV illumination, the OCT‐doped PSCs maintain over 92% of their initial efficiency, meeting the 15 kWh m−2 UV exposure requirement specified in the IEC:61215 PV robustness testing standard. This study offers a straightforward approach to enhance the durability of PSCs under UV radiation, opening avenues for their application in extreme environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface or interface engineering is one of the most effective strategies to improve the device performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), owing to the fact that the defects are mainly located at the surface. Organosilanes are among the most promising surface modifiers due to their unique cross‐linking ability, which makes a robust layer to further protect the underneath perovskites. However, the influence of tail functional groups of organosilanes on the device performance and stability has never been systematically investigated. Herein, a series of organosilanes with different chain lengths, fluorination, and different interactions toward perovskite are applied to modify the perovskite. Tail functional groups that show passivation ability toward perovskite are demonstrated to effectively reduce trap densities and thus improve the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), while the fluorinated functional groups are beneficial for high stability. Finally, PSCs based on 3,3,3‐trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane (FPTMS) modification showed a high PCE of 23.0% with the best operational stability. The encapsulated device maintained 85% of the initial PCE after 1725 h under continuous 1 sun equivalent illumination in air. The work may provide important insights into designing modifiers for high‐performance PSCs with high stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted considerable attention due to their distinct advantages, including minimal hysteresis, cost‐effectiveness, and suitability for tandem applications. Nevertheless, the solution processing and the low formation energy of perovskites inevitably lead to numerous defects formed at both the bulk and interfaces of the perovskite layer. These defects can act as non‐radiative recombination centers, significantly impeding carrier transport and posing a substantial obstacle to stability and further enhancing power conversion efficiency (PCE). This review delves into a detailed discussion of the nature and origin of defects and the characterization techniques employed for defect identification. Furthermore, it systematically summarizes methods for defect detection and approaches for passivating interface and bulk defects within the perovskite film in inverted PSCs. Finally, this review offers a perspective on employing upscaling defect passivation engineering for perovskite modules. It is hoped this review provides insights into defect passivation in inverted PSCs and solar modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin‐lead (Sn‐Pb) mixed perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which serve as bottom subcells in all‐perovskite tandem solar cells, are pivotal for developing highly efficient solar cells. However, the vulnerability of stannous (Sn2+) to spontaneous oxidation to harmful tetravalent tin (Sn4+) presents significant challenges. Here, a “mouse glue trap” strategy is proposed to mitigate this issue by introducing a multifunctional additive, oxamidic acid potassium salt (OAPS). This approach effectively traps undesired Sn4+ impurities through strong interactions between the oxaminic acid groups of OAPS and Sn4+ impurities. Additionally, OAPS, with its unique functional groups, can inhibit Sn2+ oxidation, passivate defects, alleviate stress, and improve crystalline quality in Sn‐Pb mixed perovskite films. As a result, the enhanced Sn‐Pb mixed narrow‐bandgap PSCs incorporating OAPS achieve a power conversion efficiency of 22.04% and exhibit improved storage stability, with 91% retention after 3072 h of storage in an N2‐filled glovebox. Moreover, all‐perovskite tandem cells using OAPS‐incorporated Sn‐Pb narrow‐bandgap PSCs as subcells demonstrate efficiencies of 27.17% and 28.31% for two‐terminal and four‐terminal tandems, respectively, presenting a straightforward approach to optimizing performance in Sn‐Pb mixed PSCs and their tandems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability issue of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has long been of concern to researchers. Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is commonly used as a hole transport layer (HTL) in the inverted PSCs to achieve efficient and stable performance. However, PEDOT:PSS can corrode ITO, affecting device efficiency. Moreover, the hydrophilic nature of PEDOT:PSS compromises device stability. In this work, Poly (3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT), known for its good hydrophobicity, was used to modify the surface of PEDOT:PSS, reducing its water absorption and thereby enhancing the efficiency and stability of PSCs. The results reveal that incorporating P3HT effectively enhances the hydrophobicity of PEDOT:PSS. Furthermore, it fosters the development of large-grain perovskite film on the PEDOT:PSS/P3HT bilayer. This enhancement leads to a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.78% for PSCs, with an increase by 16% than that of reference cells (17.04% of PCE). Following a duration of 1000 h, the PCE for the device modified with P3HT remains above 90%, while the PCE of the reference device is below 70%. These findings suggest that using P3HT in conjunction with PEDOT:PSS as a bilayer HTL can concurrently and proficiently improve the efficiency and stability of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and eco‐friendly dimethyl sulfoxide‐mediated solution aging (DMSA) treatment is presented to control the crystallization dynamics of methylammonium (MA)‐free wide‐bandgap (WBG) perovskite films, enhancing film quality, and morphology for high‐performance tandem solar cells. The comprehensive structural, morphological, and characterization analyses reveal that the DMSA treatment significantly enhances composition and morphology homogeneity while suppressing halide segregation. Consequently, opaque, and semi‐transparent MA‐free WBG perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit remarkable power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 18.28% and 17.61%, respectively. Notably, the unencapsulated DMSA‐treated devices maintain 95% of the initial PCE after 900 h of continuous operation at 55 °C ± 5 °C. Furthermore, stacking semi‐transparent DMSA‐treated PSCs as top cells in a 4T tandem configuration, along with silicon heterojunction (SHJ), lead–tin (Pb–Sn) alloyed PSCs, and organic photovoltaics (OPV) as bottom cells, yields impressive PCEs of 28.09%, 26.09%, and 25.28%, respectively, for the fabricated tandem cells. This innovative approach opens new avenues for enhancing the photo‐stability and photovoltaic performance of perovskite‐based tandem solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although polymer solar cells (PSCs) have shown considerable power conversion efficiency (PCE) potential, their poor operational stability is a major obstacle for their future commercialization. In this study, the ternary‐blend strategy based on D1–A–D1–D2‐type conjugated random terpolymers containing hydrogen–bonding sites is employed to simultaneously improve device efficiency and long‐term stability. Notably, the PM6‐ThEG:PM6‐ThOH:Y6‐BO ternary‐blend system exhibits a remarkable PCE of 17.2% with superior photo, thermal, and mechanical stability, outperforming those of binary devices based on PM6, PM6‐ThEG, and PM6‐ThOH polymer donors. These outstanding results are likely attributed to the robust molecular lock via hydrogen bonds between PM6‐ThEG and PM6‐ThOH terpolymers, which can induce strong intermolecular packing, a dense 3D terpolymer network, and optimized morphology. These results also correlate well with the computational study. A comprehensive analysis of optoelectronic and morphological properties as well as the exploration of underlying physical mechanisms collectively verifies the effectiveness of this approach based on mixed random terpolymers with hydrogen‐bonding moiety to achieve the non‐halogenated solvent‐processed PSCs with exceptional efficiency and operational stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trap states at both the upper and bottom interfaces of perovskite layers significantly impact non‐radiative carrier recombination. The widely used solvent‐based passivation methods result in the disordered distribution of surface components, posing challenges for the commercial application of large‐area perovskite solar cells (PSCs). To address this issue, a novel NH3 gas‐assisted all‐inorganic dual‐interfaces passivation strategy is proposed. Through the gas treatment of the perovskite surface, NH3 molecules significantly enhanced the iodine vacancy formation energy (1.54 eV) and bonded with uncoordinated Pb2+ to achieve non‐destructive passivation. Meanwhile, the reduction of the film defect states is accompanied by a decrease in the work function, which promotes carrier transport between the interface. Further, a stable passivation layer is constructed to manage the bottom interfacial defects using inorganic potassium tripolyphosphate (PT), whose ─P═O group effectively mitigated the charged defects and lowered the carrier transport barriers and nucleation barriers of PVK, while the gradient distribution of K+ improved the crystalline quality of PVK film. Based on the dual‐interface synergistic effect, the optimal MA‐contained PSCs with an effective area of 0.1 cm2 achieved an efficiency of 24.51% and can maintain 90% of the initial value after aging (10−20% RH and 20 °C) for 2000 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium salt-doped spiro-OMeTAD is widely used as a hole-transport layer (HTL) for high-efficiency n-i-p perovskite solar cells (PSCs), but unfortunately facing awkward instability for commercialization arising from the intrinsic Li+ migration and hygroscopicity. We herein demonstrate a superoxide radicals (•O2−) derived HTL of metal-free spiro-OMeTAD with remarkable capability of avoiding the conventional tedious oxidation treatment in air for highly stable PSCs. Present work explores the employing of variant-valence Eu(TFSI)2 salts that could generate •O2− for facile and adequate pre-oxidation of spiro-OMeTAD, resulting in the HTL with dramatically increased conductivity and work function. Comparing to devices adopting HTL with LiTFSI doping, the •O2−-derived spiro-OMeTAD increases the PSCs efficiency up to 25.45% and 20.76% for 0.05 cm2 active area and 6 × 6 cm2 module, respectively. State-of-art PSCs employing such metal-free HTLs are also demonstrated to show much-improved environmental stability even under harsh conditions, e.g., maintaining over 90% of their initial efficiency after 1000 h of operation at the maximum power point and after 80 light-thermal cycles under simulated low earth orbit conditions, respectively, indicating the potentials of developing metal-free spiro-OMeTAD for low-cost and shortened processing of perovskite photovoltaics. The migration and hygroscopicity of lithium salt in doped spiro-OMeTAD hampers the device efficiency of perovskite solar cells. Here, the authors employ Eu(TFSI)2 salts to generate superoxide radical for facile pre-oxidation, achieving enhanced efficiency and stability of solar cells and modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the inverted CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted extensive attentions due to their potential to combine with silicon solar cells for tandem devices with theoretical power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 44%. However, the reported self‐assembled molecules (SAMs) as hole selected layer for inverted PSCs have poor wettability and serious agglomeration, which greatly limits the efficiency and stability of PSCs. To address above problem, niobium pentachloride (NCL) is applied to prevent SAMs agglomeration for a homogenous SAMs film with a hydrophilic surface. The optimized SAMs surface facilitates the deposition of the cesium lead triiodide (CsPbI3)film with an enhanced referred orientation, suppressed defects, and released stress. Consequently, the NCL‐treated CsPbI3 PSCs achieved a champion PCE of 21.24%, which is the highest PCE value for inverted all‐inorganic PSCs. The optimized device maintained 97.61% initial PCE after 1000 h storage in air, and 92.27% initial PCE after 1000 h tracking at the maximum power point (MPP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered the most promising photovoltaic devices to replace silicon-based solar cells because of their low preparation cost and high photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). Reducing defects in perovskite films is an effective means to improve the efficiency of PSCs. In this paper, a lead chelator was selected and mixed into hole transport layers (HTLs) to design and prepare mesoporous PSCs with the structure of ITO/PTAA(BCP)/Al2O3/PVK/PCBM/BCP/Ag, and its modification effect on the buried interface at the bottom of the perovskite layer in the mesoporous structure was explored. The experimental results show that in the presence of mesoporous alumina, the lead chelator can still play a role in modifying the bottom of the perovskite film. The use of lead chelator as passivation material added to the HTL can effectively reduce the residue of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and decrease the defects at the bottom of the perovskite film, which dramatically improves the device performance. The PCE of the device is increased from 18.03% to 20.78%, which is an increase of 15%. The work in this paper provides an effective method to enhance the performance of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) play a crucial role in ozone depletion in the polar stratosphere. In this study, the space-based PSCs record from CALISPO and an offline three-dimensional chemical transport model (SLIMCAT) are used to analyze the PSCs in the Arctic and the Antarctic for the period 2006−2021. Observations indicate that the seasonal evolution of the Antarctic PSC area is similar from year to year. In contrast, the Arctic PSCs show large differences in seasonal variations of coverage and duration in different years. The SLIMCAT simulations effectively capture the seasonal and interannual variations of PSCs. However, the simulated PSC areas are larger than CALIPSO observations, which can be attributed to the relatively high instrumental detection threshold of CALIPSO. SLIMCAT can capture the zonal asymmetry of PSCs in both the Antarctic and Arctic, and it can reproduce a more accurate spatial distribution of PSCs when the PSC coverage area is larger. In addition, accurate simulation of HNO3 is important for PSC simulation. Because the simulation of denitrification processes is poor in SLIMCAT, which uses the thermodynamic equilibrium PSC scheme, the PSCs modeled by SLIMCAT are located at higher altitudes compared to the observation in the Antarctic, where the denitrification processes are strong. In contrast, for ice PSCs of which HNO3 is not required in calculations and the Arctic where denitrification is weak, the simulated PSC at different altitudes closely matches the observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) are promising candidates in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to its excellent stability. However, the large bandgap of PQDs and expensive materials of hole transport materials (HTMs) and noble metal proposed a major obstacle to promoting the further development of PSCs. Herein, a promising method introducing MA+ into the CsPbBr3 PQDs can well decrease the bandgap. Furthermore, the stacked structure assembled by a photoanode A and black electrode B shows a promising prospect for photovoltaic application, in which the black electrode B, a carbon quantum dots, extracted from molasses was used for simultaneous replacement of metals and HTMs, and each layer employed screen-printing method to deposition in the aspect of fabrication of device. Based on this systematic optimization, the assembled PSCs achieve an enhanced PCE of 1.57%, which demonstrated an obvious improvement in comparison to the pristine device. This study demonstrates a low-cost and facile strategy for the fabrication of efficient PSCs with stacked architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The buried interface in the perovskite solar cell (PSC) has been regarded as a breakthrough to boost the power conversion efficiency and stability. However, a comprehensive manipulation of the buried interface in terms of the transport layer, buried interlayer, and perovskite layer has been largely overlooked. Herein, we propose the use of a volatile heterocyclic compound called 2‐thiopheneacetic acid (TPA) as a pre‐buried additive in the buried interface to achieve cross‐layer all‐interface defect passivation through an in situ bottom‐up infiltration diffusion strategy. TPA not only suppresses the serious interfacial nonradiative recombination losses by precisely healing the interfacial and underlying defects but also effectively enhances the quality of perovskite film and releases the residual strain of perovskite film. Owing to this versatility, TPA‐tailored CsPbBr3 PSCs deliver a record efficiency of 11.23% with enhanced long‐term stability. This breakthrough in manipulating the buried interface using TPA opens new avenues for further improving the performance and reliability of PSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor operational stability is a crucial factor limiting the further application of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Organic semiconductor layers can be a powerful means for reinforcing interfaces and inhibiting ion migration. Herein, two hole‐transporting molecules, pDPA‐SFX and mDPA‐SFX, are synthesized with tuned substituent connection sites. The meta‐substituted mDPA‐SFX results in a larger dipole moment, more ordered packing, and better charge mobility than pDPA‐SFX, accompanying with strong interface bonding on perovskite surfaces and suppressed ion motion as well. Importantly, mDPA‐SFX‐based PSCs exhibit an efficiency that has significantly increased from 22.5 % to 24.8 % and a module‐based efficiency of 19.26 % with an active area of 12.95 cm2. The corresponding cell retain 94.8 % of its initial efficiency at maximum power point tracking (MPPT) after 1,000 h (T95=1,000 h). The MPPT T80 lifetime is as long as 2,238 h. This work illustrates that a small degree of structural variation in organic compounds leaves considerable room for developing new HTMs for light stable PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The materials for electron transport layers (ETLs) play a significant role in the performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs) but face challenges, such as low electron transport mobility and conductivity, low solution processibility, and extreme thickness sensitivity, which will undermine the photovoltaic performance and hinder compatibility of large‐scale fabrication technique. To address these challenges, a new n‐type perylene diimide‐based molecule (PDINB) with two special amine‐anchored long‐side chains is designed and synthesized feasibly. PDINB shows very high solubility in common organic solvents, such as dichloromethane (>75 mg ml−1) and methanol with acetic acid as an additive (>37 mg ml−1), which leads to excellent film formability when deposited on active layers. With PDINB as ETLs, the photovoltaic performance of the PSCs is boosted comprehensively, leading to power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 18.81%. Thanks to the strong self‐doping effect and high conductivity of PDINB, it displays an appreciable thickness‐tolerant property as ETLs, where the devices remain consistently high PCE values with the thickness varying from 5 to 30 nm. Interestingly, PDINB can be used as a generic ETL in different types of PSCs including non‐fullerene PSCs and all‐polymer PSCs. Therefore, PDINB can be a potentially competitive candidate as an efficient ETL for PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the methylammonium‐free (MA‐free) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are constantly lagging behind those of the most extensively researched triple cation mixed PSCs due to their subpar perovskite films. Here, two guanidine‐based passivation agents are proposed, that are, sulfaguanidine (S‐Gua) and 1‐acetylguanidine (A‐Gua) that can be applied to optimize the film quality of MA‐free perovskite for minimizing the efficiency discrepancy between the two types of PSCs. Through strong coordination with Pb2+ and hydrogen bonding with formamidinium (FA+), the two passivation additives can reduce bulk defects and suppress non‐radiative recombination, which in turn enhance the charge extraction and transfer efficiency. Consequently, the S‐Gua‐ and A‐Gua‐treated devices achieve PCEs of 24.34% and 23.77%, respectively. Both PCEs are greater than that of the control device (23.03%), and the 24.34% PCE is comparable with that of the best MA‐free inverted PSCs with narrower bandgaps. Moreover, the S‐Gua‐treated devices maintain 89.3% and 82.0% of their initial PCEs after aging for 800 h and heating (85 °C) for 340 h in ambient air without any encapsulation, respectively. This work offers comprehensive insights into the use of guanidine‐based additives to achieve high‐quality perovskite films and subsequently state‐of‐the‐art MA‐free PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a new approach for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) by combining the honey badger algorithm (HBA) with a Genetic Algorithm (GA). The integration aims to optimize photovoltaic (PV) system performance in partial shading conditions (PSCs). Initially, the HBA is utilized to explore extensively and identify potential solutions while avoiding local optima. If necessary, the GA is then employed to escape local optima through selection, crossover, and mutation operations. On average, this proposed method has a 40% improvement in tracking time and 0.77% in efficiency compared with the HBA. In a dynamic case, the proposed method achieves a 4.81% improvement compared to HBA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halide perovskites are promising as the light absorbers of solar cells with efficient solar power conversion. However, why the degradation of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), especially at high temperatures, happens has not been completely understood to date. Herein, it is shown that evaporation of 4‐tert‐butylpyridine (4‐tBP) from the hole transport layer (HTL) of 2,2',7,7'‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamino)‐9,9'‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐OMeTAD) is one of possible degradation mechanisms in PSCs at a high temperature of 85 °C. In fresh PSCs, the chemical doping of the spiro‐OMeTAD HTL with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) is not so efficient because of the formation of a LiTFSI:4‐tBP complex in the HTL. When PSCs are placed at 85 °C, 4‐tBP gradually evaporates from the HTL, resulting in the dissociation of the LiTFSI:4‐tBP complex. This 4‐tBP evaporation enhances the chemical doping of spiro‐OMeTAD by LiTFSI and makes the hole transport level of the spiro‐OMeTAD HTL deeper, thereby impeding hole extraction at the perovskite/spiro‐OMeTAD/Au interfaces. Herein, the 4‐tBP evaporation by covering PSCs with a fluoro‐polymer CYTOP layer, significantly improving the high‐temperature durability of PSCs, is suppressed. The basic understanding obtained in this study would help promote the spread of more thermally durable PSC products in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐term operational stability remains a big challenge for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), especially under ISOS protocol with high temperature. One key reason lies in the iodine loss issue during PSCs aging. Motived by the reversible iodine‐alkenes reaction, 3‐butenylamine (BEA) based 2D perovskite (BEA)2[PbBr4] is used to construct a functionalized 2D/3D heterojunction in PSCs. (BEA)2[PbBr4] can chemically adsorb photo‐generated iodine species during perovskite degradation through a typical reaction between neutral iodine and terminal alkenes, thus inhibiting iodine loss or diffusion in PSCs. Besides, owing to the reversible reaction nature, these adsorbed iodine species can be partially released slowly under heat conditions, further reacting with and eliminating potential metallic Pb0 defects. The resulting PSCs exhibit a high efficiency of 24.5% with good operational stability even without encapsulation, retaining ≈94% of initial efficiency after MPP tracking for 2000 h at 65 °C with ISOS‐L‐2 protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymer solar cells (PSCs) have garnered substantial interest owing to their lightweight, cost‐effectiveness, and flexibility, making them ideal for large‐scale roll‐to‐roll manufacturing. In this study, two wide‐bandgap (WBG) donor polymers, PFBiTPD and PClBiTPD, utilizing bithieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (BiTPD) as the electron‐accepting unit and fluorinated/chlorinated benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophene (BDT) as the electron‐donating moiety are designed and synthesized. The polymers demonstrated large optical bandgaps (exceeding 1.80 eV) and are blended with ITIC‐4F to form the active layers in PSCs. The PFBiTPD‐based devices showed a well‐dispersed fibrillar network, facilitating efficient charge generation and transport. Thus, these devices attained a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.60%, featuring a fill factor (FF) of 62.89%, an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.88 V and a short‐circuit current density (Jsc) of 15.54 mA cm−2. In contrast, PClBiTPD‐based devices displayed lower performance due to less favorable morphology. The study underscores the importance of polymer design and morphology control in optimizing the photovoltaic performance of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To alleviate high costs and lengthy trial-and-error periods associated with traditional optimization methods for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), we developed a data-driven reverse design framework for high-efficiency PSCs. This framework integrates machine learning and Bayesian optimization (BO) to accelerate the optimization process of PSCs by intelligently recommending the most promising parameter configurations for PSCs, such as device structure and fabrication processes. To improve the robustness of the framework, we first designed a two-stage sampling strategy to alleviate the issue of imbalanced dataset classes. Subsequently, by integrating "experimental knowledge constraints" into the BO process, we achieved precise parameter configurations, thus avoiding discrepancies between predicted and actual results due to parameter mismatches. Finally, using SHapley Additive exPlanations, we unveiled key factors influencing the power conversion efficiency (PCE), such as the composition of perovskite solvents. Our framework not only precisely predicted the PCE of PSCs with an area under the curve of 0.861 but also identified the optimal parameter configurations, achieving a high probability of 0.981. This framework offers substantial support for minimizing redundant experiments and characterizations, effectively accelerating the optimization process of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In prevailing p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs), solution-processible fullerene molecules are widely used as electron-transporting layers (ETLs) but they typically suffer from poor uniformity and undesirable stability issues. Additionally, a separate bathocuproine (BCP) layer is needed to block hole transfer, increasing fabrication complexity and cost. Here, we address these limitations by developing a novel polymeric ETL (named PFBCP) synthesized by polymerizing C60 with BCP. This innovative material achieves both efficient electron transport and hole blocking, while its excellent uniformity minimizes interface recombination and enhances stability. Consequently, our blade-coated PSCs utilizing PFBCP achieve a high power conversion efficiency exceeding 22% and retain 91% of initial efficiency after 1200 h of light exposure. This development not only paves the way for commercially viable PSCs but also opens avenues for future ETL design to realize even more efficient and stable PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suitable band gap with outstanding optoelectronic characteristics makes Sn‐based perovskites one of the promising candidates for the preparation of efficient lead‐free perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, preparing Sn2+‐based PSCs is very difficult due to the ready oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+ when exposed to air. In this work, by incorporating the trimethylamine borane complex (TMAB) as an antioxidant additive into the perovskite precursor solution along with excess SnF2, we report the fabrication of air‐stable FASnI3‐based solar cells. The complex formed by TMAB‐SNF2 (additive layer) enables in‐situ encapsulation of perovskite grains. This layer considerably improves the oxidation stability of the perovskite layer by eliminating oxygen vacancies from the NiO hole transport. The resulting PSCs can maintain more than 70% of the efficiency over 45 and 75 hours respectively in air and N2 exposure without encapsulation. This can be regarded as a genuinely enhanced attribute, particularly considering the use of carbon in one of the electrodes in FASnI3 perovskites. The findings suggest an alternative approach to provide effective and sustainable Sn‐based PSCs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the selection of the hole‐transport material (HTM) markedly influences both the achievement of high efficiency and overall stability. This study outlines the synthesis of a dopant‐free HTM founded on the donor–acceptor1–acceptor2 (D–A1–A2)‐conjugated structure and its integration into PSCs. The ensuing PSCs showcase a power conversion efficiency of 17.8%, comparable to NiOx inorganic HTM‐based devices and surpassing poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate polymeric HTM‐based devices. The efficiency comparable to NiOx is attributed to the efficient hole extraction and transport facilitated by the conjugated π junctions in the specifically designed structure. Furthermore, these devices exhibit enhanced stability, maintaining 95% of their initial performance for 60 d in an N2 atmosphere without encapsulation. The improved stability primarily arises from the hydrophobic nature of the HTM. The larger π‐conjugated molecules lead to a denser film by reducing intermolecular space, effectively retarding water intrusion and providing superior protection to the perovskite layer. Thus, the dopant‐free D–A1–A2 HTM with an extended conjugated π structure not only effectively enhances device efficiency but also substantially improves device stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar photovoltaic (PV) system generates low power because of nonuniform sun irradiation compared to standard test conditions. Partial shading conditions (PSCs) can arise from various factors, with passing clouds, trees, telecommunication towers, bird droppings, and similar elements being among the most prevalent causes. Under the shading scenario, multiple global and local maxima power points exist on the P–V curves. Herein, the chess game rules for the "Rook" icon are followed to attain the optimal placement of integer numbers (1–9) in the 9 × 9 size game puzzle matrix. The integer number‐based game puzzles such as Su‐Do‐Ku, symmetric matrix, and proposed Rook's movement‐game theory (RMGT) to rearrange the PV modules in arrays are investigated and compared with the standard arrangements such as series‐parallel, total‐cross‐tied during PSCs. The suggested RMGT puzzle‐based arrangement is able to achieve higher power at global maximum power point, performance enhancement, fill factor, and low power loss. As a result, the experimental study proves the superiority of RMGT configuration compared to conventional methodologies under the shading scenarios. The proposed RMGT‐based PV array is tested and obtained the performance higher side as, 63.27ImVm$\left(63.27 I\right)_{m}V_{m}$, 64.17ImVm$\left(64.17 I\right)_{m}V_{m}$, 58.95ImVm$\left(58.95 I\right)_{m}V_{m}$, and 76.77ImVm$76.77I_{m}V_{m}$ compared to existing reconfiguration methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passivation defects and reducing charge recombination are of great importance in enhancing 2D perovskite solar cells' (PSCs) performance. Herein, a novel additive (TEMPIC) is introduced into 2D PSCs to improve photovoltaic properties of the device, which are mainly attributed to passivated trap-states and reduced charge recombination in device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure‐phase α‐formamidinium lead iodide (α‐FAPbI3) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) possess potential high efficiency because of suitable bandgap. However, achieving high‐quality α‐FAPbI3 films during the spin‐coating process is challenging without anti‐solvent extraction, due to the spontaneous formation of the more stable δ‐FAPbI3 phase and the complexity of multi‐component perovskite precursor solutions. Here a gel precursor with an amorphous structure to eliminate the need for anti‐solvent extraction in achieving the homogeneous and highly oriented pure‐phase α‐FAPbI3 is devised films. The incorporation of N,N′‐dimethylpropyleneurea, and alkylammonium chloride results in extended iodoplumbate clusters in the perovskite precursor solution. In situ, spectroscopic analysis reveals that the emergence of the stable amorphous gel precursor during the initial solidification stage ensures a uniform solute distribution. This effectively prevents preferentially oriented growth in the crystal phase precursor, leading to a significant enhancement in film homogeneity. As a result, power conversion efficiencies of 24.17% for the PSC, and 19.3% for the module are achieved, along with superior operational stability, retaining 96.1% of their initial efficiency after 850 h at the maximum power point tracking. These demonstrate the best performance for the reported pure‐phase α‐FAPbI3 PSCs without anti‐solvent extraction, showing great promise for scalable manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites in combination with the hole‐transport material (HTM) 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamine)‐9,9′‐spirobifluoren (spiro‐OMeTAD) yield impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) in n–i–p perovskite solar cells (PSC). To ensure sufficient hole extraction from the perovskite absorber to the metal electrode, the lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) doping is considered indispensable to promote spiro‐OMeTAD oxidization and obtain consequently enhanced conductivity. However, LiTFSI‐doped spiro‐OMeTAD usually leads to a reduced stability of PSCs because of the hygroscopic nature of LiTFSI, which further limits its potential commercialization. Herein, a hydrophobic material, namely perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs), is used as surface modifier of doped HTM to improve both efficiency and stability of PSCs. It is revealed that the introduction of PFPE increases the concentration of positive radicals, enhances charge‐carrier transport, and improves stability of PSCs under wetting stress. Moreover, the device based on PFPE achieves a champion PCE of 21.94%. In these findings, valuable insights are provided for the future commercialization of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charge transport layers are critical components in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for achieving satisfied power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and device stability. However, these layers often bring incompatible interfaces and complex fabrication, limiting the stability and scalability of PSC technology. Here an alternative strategy of salt‐based catalyzer (SBC) is proposed to regulate the heterogeneous nucleation of perovskite, which enables uniform and well‐controlled perovskite coverage directly onto the salt‐treated substrate without electron transport layers (ETLs). By carefully adjusting the cations, anions, and the thickness of SBC, high‐quality perovskite films along with superior buried interfaces suppress the carrier recombination losses and strengthen the interfacial stability, promoting the resultant device to achieve a record PCE of 23.04%, which represents the highest reported efficiency for ETL‐free PSCs. Meanwhile, the SBC technique can be well extended to large‐area, flexible, and module‐based devices. More encouragingly, the SBC‐based unencapsulated devices exhibit remarkable operational stability by retaining over 90% of initial efficiency for 1540 h under illumination and for 6312 h in an air environment. This work provides an advisable way to fabricate efficient and stable ETL‐free PSCs toward reliable and cost‐effective production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacial engineering, especially the modulation of the buried interface, has a strong impact on the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, a natural chemical, riboflavin (VB2), was introduced to modify the TiO2/perovskite interface in planar PSCs. As a result, oxygen defects in TiO2 were passivated, and the quality of the perovskite film, together with the energy level arrangement, was optimized. Finally, PSCs modified with VB2 showed a significant increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 19.2% to 21.50%. Additionally, PSCs modified with VB2 exhibited better long-term stability by maintaining 75.8% of their original PCE after 700 hours of aging at a relative humidity (RH) of 30% ± 5% and at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although revolutionary power conversion efficiency progress has been realized for inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the selection and optimization of the hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) are still crucial for fabricating high‐efficiency, stable, and low‐cost PSCs. Nickel oxide (NiOx) is widely used in the PSCs community for material design and modification. However, various NiOx synthesis processes lead to kinds of NiOx, and it is difficult to determine which NiOx is suitable for application in PSCs. Herein, two kinds of NiOx HTMs are synthesized using sol–gel processed and chemical‐calcination‐processed (CCP) routes for the preparation of PSCs. Based on the physical properties of two kinds of NiOx HTMs as well as the corresponding photovoltaic parameters of PSCs, it is demonstrated that superior NiOx HTMs is obtained by the CCP method with the following properties: high transmittance to ensure sufficient sunlight capture of perovskite, appropriate energy levels to promote hole extraction and transfer, high conductivity to support charge transfer, and a good wetting surface to boost perovskite spreading and film formation. Thus, in this study, the direction for the reasonable selection of HTMs is pointed out to prepare efficient PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halide perovskite nanocrystals (HP NCs) based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted serious attention along with relatively unstable bulk HP‐based thin‐film solar cells aiming to make more efficient and stable PSCs. HP NCs have still limited employment in PSCs despite their inherent unique properties such as strong absorption and photoluminescence, controlled transport and charge‐carrier mobility, low defect density, solution processability, and compatibility with large‐scale deposition techniques suitable for PSCs. Nanostructuring of the perovskites offers other unique characteristics such as confinement effects. These exciting characteristics together with the exceptional tunability in their shape, composition, and functionalities make HP NCs promising for PVs applications. In order to develop efficient HP NCs PSCs, major focus lies on discussing the various synthesis approaches, optoelectrical behaviors of HP NCs, and optimized device architectures. In this context, this review article deals with various approaches to HP NCs synthesis, properties, current challenges, and factors affecting the performance of the NC‐based PSCs. Based on these discussions, perspectives on promising directions for effective utilization of HP NCs toward the improvement and commercialization of the exciting promising material‐based stable and efficient PSCs in the near future are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]