Water- and heat-activated dynamic passivation for perovskite photovoltaics

Further improvements in perovskite solar cells require better control of ionic defects in the perovskite photoactive layer during the manufacturing stage and their usage^1–5. Here we report a living passivation strategy using a hindered urea/thiocarbamate bond^6–8 Lewis acid–base material (HUBLA), where dynamic covalent bonds with water and heat-activated characteristics can dynamically heal the perovskite to ensure device performance and stability. Upon exposure to moisture or heat, HUBLA generates new agents and further passivates defects in the perovskite. This passivation strategy achieved high-performance devices with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.1 per cent. HUBLA devices retained 94 per cent of their initial PCE for approximately 1,500 hours of ageing at 85 degrees Celsius in nitrogen and maintained 88 per cent of their initial PCE after 1,000 hours of ageing at 85 degrees Celsius and 30 per cent relative humidity in air.