Green Solvent Polishing Enables Highly Efficient Quasi-2D Perovskite Solar Cells

Preferred crystalline orientation at the surface of quasi-2D organic-inorganic halide perovskites is crucial to promote vertical carrier transport and interface carrier extraction, which further contribute to device efficiency and stability in photovoltaic applications. However, loose unoriented and defective surfaces are inevitably formed in the crystallization process, especially with the introduction of bulky organic cations into the quasi-2D perovskites. Here, a facile and effective surface polishing method using a natural-friendly green solvent, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, is proposed to reconstruct the surface. After solvent polishing, the randomly oriented phases containing trap sites on the surface are successfully removed, and the compact vertical-oriented phases underneath are revealed with less defectiveness and better smoothness, which greatly facilitates carrier transport and interfacial charge extraction. Consequently, the green solvent polished devices show a boosting efficiency of 18.38% with a high open-circuit voltage of 1.21 V. The devices also show improved storage and operational stability.