Filling perovskite (5-AVA)y(CH3NH3)1−yPbI3 or (5-AVA)y(CH3NH3)1−yPbI3−xClx halide in a 3D gel framework for multi-deformable perovskite solar cell

- Perovskite halides are synthesized by a solvothermal method.
- Gel matrix is utilized to imbibe cell materials into 3D framework.
- The resultant perovskite solar cells have multi-deformability.
- The cell efficiencies increase under deformations.

Application-specific requirements for future perovskite solar cells include lightweight, mechanical resilience, and deformability for multi-purpose utilizations ranging from electronic skin and implant in the body to wearable textiles. Here we demonstrate the experimental realization of intrinsically bendable, stretchable, twistable, and compressible perovskite solar cells made by adsorbing hole-transporting polyaniline, solvothermal-processed halide (5-AVA)y(CH3NH3)1−yPbI3 or (5-AVA)y(CH3NH3)1−yPbI3−xClx precursor as well as electron-transporting [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl with three-dimensional amphiphilic gel matrix. The multi-deformable perovskite solar cell with CH3NH3PbI3 crystals yields a power conversion efficiency of 3.62% at undeformed state and AM1.5 G sunlight irradiation, while the efficiency can increase to 4.51% at a bending angle of 140°, to 4.46% at an elongation of 220%, to 5.10% at a twist angle of 360°, and to 5.57% at a compression ratio of 80%. After hundreds of arbitrary deformations, the solar cell still remains ~130% efficiency. Owing to an amphiphilic surface, the solar cell is relatively stable for 7 days when exposed in 78%-humidity ambient air. This work represents a significant step forward, as it realizes the solvothermal synthesis of halide CH3NH3PbX3 (X=I, Cl) precursors and low-temperature fabrication, arbitrary deformations without sacrificing power conversion efficiency along with promising humidity-resistance in ambient atmosphere for perovskite solar cells.

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