Ruddlesden–Popper Perovskites with Narrow Phase Distribution for Air‐Stable Solar Cells

Abstract

2D Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites have risen to prominence as stable and efficient photovoltaic materials because of their structural diversity, rich photophysics, and low moisture ingression. However, thin films processed from stoichiometric precursor solutions possess a broad phase distribution of different number of inorganic layers with random crystal orientation, crippling device performance. The effect of methylammonium chloride (MACl) and 3‐amino‐4‐phenolsulfonic acid (APSA) on the fabrication of perpendicularly oriented (PEA)2MA4Pb5I16 films with narrow phase distribution using antisolvent and hot‐casting processing techniques is investigated. MACl plays a critical role in suppressing parasitic n ≤ 2 and 3D‐like phases. APSA performs the dual function of trap passivation and further narrowing phase polydispersity through strong coordination with Pb2+. Ex situ grazing‐incident wide‐angle X‐Ray scattering (GIWAXS) and ultrafast spectroscopic characterization reveal uniformly mixed‐phase distribution with disordered orientation in antisolvent treated films, while additive‐assisted hot‐casting treatment results in oriented, reverse‐graded phase distribution, i.e., small‐n on the film surface and large‐n at the bottom. Arising thin films enable efficient p–i–n solar cells with an efficiency of 14.34%, and a Voc of 1.20 V, retaining 96% initial efficiency after 1440 h under ambient conditions (RH = 50–60%) without encapsulation.