Perovskite Photovoltaics: The Significant Role of Ligands in Film Formation, Passivation, and Stability

Due to their outstanding optoelectronic properties, metal halide perovskites have been intensively studied in recent years. The latest certificated efficiency of 23.3% recently achieved in perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) enables them to be used as a very promising candidate for next-generation photovoltaics. The morphology, defect density, and water resistance of perovskite films have an enormous impact on the performance and stability of PVSCs. Ligands, with coordinating capability, have been widely developed to improve the quality and stability of perovskite materials significantly. In the first section of this review, the role of ligands in fabricating perovskite films by different methods (one-step, two-step, and postdeposition treatment) is discussed. In the second section, the progress on ligand-passivated perovskites via post-treatment, in situ passivation during perovskite formation, and modifying the substrates before perovskite formation is reviewed. In the third section, a discussion of ligand-stabilized perovskite films from the perspectives of crystal crosslinking, dimensionality engineering, and interfacial modification is presented. Finally, a summary and an outlook are given.