Growth and evolution of solution-processed CH3NH3PbI3-xClx layer for highly efficient planar-heterojunction perovskite solar cells

Methylammoniumn lead iodide perovskites have attracted great attention in photovoltaic research community. In this work, we demonstrate the results of studies focusing on the chemical reaction of CH3NH3PbI3-xClx layer formation during the annealing of perovskite precursor films. We identified two kinds of grain morphologies during the formation of perovskite films grown from non-stoichiometric precursor solution. To form single-phase and high absorbance perovskite films, higher concentration of chloride in precursor solution needs longer annealing time and only a very low Cl content could be incorporated in the final CH3NH3PbI3-xClx films. Adding PbCl2-3CH(3)NH(3)I to PbI2-CH3NH3I precursor solution can allow a good control of the growth rate and morphology for the final perovskite film, and is beneficial to the photovoltaic performance of perovskite devices. By employing the precursor solutions of PbCl2, PbI2 and CH3NH3I with a mole ratio of 1:1:4 and inserting an ultrathin amino-functionalized polymer interlayer, we achieved planar perovskite solar cell with maximum power conversion efficiency of over 15%. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.