Understanding and decoupling the role of wavelength and defects in light-induced degradation of metal-halide perovskites

Light-induced degradation in metal halide perovskites is a major concern that can potentially hamper the commercialization of perovskite optoelectronic devices. The phenomena viz. ion migration, phase segregation, and defect intolerance are believed to be the factors behind the degradation. However, a detailed mechanistic understanding of how and why light reduces the long-term stability of perovskites is still lacking. Here, by combining multiscale characterization techniques and computational studies, we uncover the role of white light in the surface degradation of state-of-the-art FAPbI3-rich perovskite absorbers (reaching up to 22% PCE in solar cells). We unravel the degradation kinetics and found that white light triggers the chemical degradation of perovskite into secondary phases with higher work function and metallic I–V characteristics. Furthermore, we demonstrate that perovskite degradation is triggered by a combined mechanism involving both light and the presence of defects. We employ surface passivation to understand the role of defect intolerance in the degradation process. Moreover, by using filtered light we uncover the wavelength dependency of the light-induced perovskite degradation. Based on our findings, we infer some strategies for material engineering and device design that can expedite the path toward stable perovskite optoelectronic devices.