Mitigating vertical crystallization inhomogeneity in blade-coated Sn–Pb perovskites for flexible all-perovskite tandem modules
- 1Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- 2Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich Zürich Switzerland
Abstract
Flexible all-perovskite tandem photovoltaics combine high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) and compatibility with lightweight, conformable substrates, making them attractive for aerospace systems and portable electronics. Gas-quenching-assisted meniscus-based coating offers a promising route towards scalable, high-throughput manufacturing. However, its limited solvent-extraction capability hinders the formation of thick, high-quality mixed Sn–Pb perovskite absorbers required for efficient tandem devices. Here, we identify pronounced vertical morphological and optoelectronic inhomogeneity in blade-coated mixed Sn–Pb perovskite films, with more defects in the upper region, arising from a thorough-thickness drying gradient. To address this limitation, we introduce the additive d-homoserine lactone hydrochloride (d-HLH) into the precursor ink to regulate perovskite crystallization. d-HLH promotes larger grains and suppresses nonradiative recombination, particularly in the upper region, thereby improving vertical homogeneity. Consequently, flexible mixed Sn–Pb perovskite solar cells achieve a PCE of 18.4% with improved operational stability. Integration with a blade-coated wide-bandgap top subcell yields flexible monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cells with a champion PCE of 23.6% and a T80 lifetime of 273 h under maximum-power-point tracking at ∼55 °C. Flexible tandem mini-modules further deliver a PCE of 20.6% with a stabilized efficiency of 19.8% over an aperture area of 10.8 cm2. This work reveals an overlooked limitation in gas-quenched mixed Sn–Pb perovskites and provides a crystallization-regulation strategy for scalable, high-performance flexible all-perovskite tandem photovoltaics.
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BibTeX
@article{luo2026mitigating,
title = {{Mitigating vertical crystallization inhomogeneity in blade-coated Sn–Pb perovskites for flexible all-perovskite tandem modules}},
author = {Jincheng Luo and Jonathan S. Austin and Amber Wright and Chih-Jen Shih and Fan Fu},
journal = {Ees Solar},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1039/d6el00168h},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/d6el00168h},
note = {CC BY 3.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Mitigating vertical crystallization inhomogeneity in blade-coated Sn–Pb perovskites for flexible all-perovskite tandem modules
AU - Jincheng Luo
AU - Jonathan S. Austin
AU - Amber Wright
AU - Chih-Jen Shih
AU - Fan Fu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Ees Solar
DO - 10.1039/d6el00168h
UR - https://doi.org/10.1039/d6el00168h
AB - Flexible all-perovskite tandem photovoltaics combine high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) and compatibility with lightweight, conformable substrates, making them attractive for aerospace systems and portable electronics. Gas-quenching-assisted meniscus-based coating offers a promising route towards scalable, high-throughput manufacturing. However, its limited solvent-extraction capability hinders the formation of thick, high-quality mixed Sn–Pb perovskite absorbers required for efficient tandem devices. Here, we identify pronounced vertical morphological and optoelectronic inhomogeneity in blade-coated mixed Sn–Pb perovskite films, with more defects in the upper region, arising from a thorough-thickness drying gradient. To address this limitation, we introduce the additive d-homoserine lactone hydrochloride (d-HLH) into the precursor ink to regulate perovskite crystallization. d-HLH promotes larger grains and suppresses nonradiative recombination, particularly in the upper region, thereby improving vertical homogeneity. Consequently, flexible mixed Sn–Pb perovskite solar cells achieve a PCE of 18.4% with improved operational stability. Integration with a blade-coated wide-bandgap top subcell yields flexible monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cells with a champion PCE of 23.6% and a T80 lifetime of 273 h under maximum-power-point tracking at ∼55 °C. Flexible tandem mini-modules further deliver a PCE of 20.6% with a stabilized efficiency of 19.8% over an aperture area of 10.8 cm2. This work reveals an overlooked limitation in gas-quenched mixed Sn–Pb perovskites and provides a crystallization-regulation strategy for scalable, high-performance flexible all-perovskite tandem photovoltaics.
SN - 3033-4063
ER -