Art of Cross-Linking In Situ Bulk Perovskites for Efficient and Stable Photovoltaics

Perovskites are hybrid materials containing templating organic linkers and inorganic halides with efficiencies that have superseded the efficiency of silicon-based photovoltaic devices (PVs) in a very short period of 10 years. Nevertheless, low ambient stability due to traps and ion migration caused hysteresis to remain the bottlenecks on the way to achieving higher operational stability with bulk perovskite-based PVs. In this context, herein we highlight the prospects of in situ cross-linking of linkers within the perovskite lattice either mediated by thermal means or attained photochemically that can maneuver the ambient as well as operational stability for enhanced power conversion efficiency for PV applications or could improve the conductivity of this hybrid semiconductor. Additionally, some important studies of additive engineering via in situ cross-linking that can affect the structure of perovskite in addition to defect passivation to endow ambient environment stability are highlighted herein.