Facile preparation of organometallic perovskite films and high-efficiency solar cells using solid-state chemistry

The power conversion efficiency of organometallic perovskite-based solar cells has skyrocketed in recent years. Intensive efforts have been made to prepare high-quality perovskite films tailored to various device configurations. Planar heterojunction devices have achieved record efficiencies; however, the preparation of perovskite films for planar junction devices requires the use of expensive vacuum facilities and/or the fine control of experimental conditions. Here, we demonstrate a facile preparation of perovskite films using solid-state chemistry. Solid-state precursor thin films of CH₃NH₃I and PbI₂ are brought into contact with each other and allowed to react via thermally accelerated diffusion. The resulting perovskite film displays good optical absorption and a smooth morphology. Solar cells based on these films show an average efficiency of 8.7% and a maximum efficiency of 10%. The solid-state synthesis of organometallic perovskite can also be carried out on flexible plastic substrates. Using this method on a PET/ITO substrate produces devices with an efficiency of 3.2%. Unlike existing synthetic methods for organometallic perovskite films, the solid-state reaction method does not require the use of orthogonal solvents or careful adjustment of reaction conditions, and thus shows good potential for mass production in the future.