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Vol. 17 (2025)

Quantum Dots Mediated Crystallization Enhancement in Two-Step Processed Perovskite Solar Cells

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01677-5
Heng Liu
Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Conductor Materials, Institute of Materials, Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou 450046, People’s Republic of China
Geyu Jin
Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction‑Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Jiantao Wang
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, People’s Republic of China
Weihai Zhang
College of New Energy, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315336, People’s Republic of China
Long Qing
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, People’s Republic of China
Yao Zhang
Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction‑Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Qiongqiong Lu
Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Conductor Materials, Institute of Materials, Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou 450046, People’s Republic of China
Pengfei Yue
Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Conductor Materials, Institute of Materials, Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou 450046, People’s Republic of China
Guoshang Zhang
Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Conductor Materials, Institute of Materials, Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou 450046, People’s Republic of China
Jing Wei
Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction‑Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Hongbo Li
Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction‑Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Hsing‑Lin Wang
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Hsing‑Lin Wang

wangxl3@sustech.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 17 (2025), Article Number: 169

Abstract

Hybrid organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites have emerged as a promising material for high-efficiency solar cells, yet challenges related to crystallization and defects limit their performance and stability. This study investigates the use of perovskite quantum dots (QDs) as crystallization seeds to enhance the quality of FAPbI3 perovskite films and improve the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). We demonstrate that CsPbI3 and CsPbBr3 QDs effectively guide the crystallization process, leading to the formation of larger crystals with preferential orientations, particularly the (001) and (002) planes, which are associated with reduced defect densities. This seed-mediated growth strategy resulted in PSCs with power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 24.75% and 24.11%, respectively, compared to the baseline efficiency of 22.05% for control devices. Furthermore, devices incorporating QD-treated perovskite films exhibited remarkable stability, maintaining over 80% of their initial PCE after 1000 h of simulated sunlight exposure, a significant improvement over the control. Detailed optoelectronic characterization revealed reduced non-radiative recombination and enhanced charge transport in QD-treated devices. These findings highlight the potential of QDs as a powerful tool to improve perovskite crystallization, facet orientation, and overall device performance, offering a promising route to enhance both efficiency and stability in PSCs.


Highlights:
1 The incorporation of quantum dots (QDs) as crystallization seeds results in the growth of larger perovskite crystals with reduced defect densities and preferential orientations along the (001) and (002) planes, significantly improving the film morphology.
2 The QD-seeded films exhibit reduced non-radiative recombination and enhanced charge transport, as confirmed by steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence, transient photovoltage measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
3 Devices fabricated with QD-treated films achieve a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.75% and exhibit exceptional long-term stability under simulated sunlight exposure, retaining 80% of their PCE after 1000 h of continuous illumination.

Keywords

Quantum dots Perovskite solar cells Two-step Crystallization Efficiency Stability
Liu, Heng, Geyu Jin, Jiantao Wang, Weihai Zhang, Long Qing, Yao Zhang, Qiongqiong Lu, Pengfei Yue, Guoshang Zhang, Jing Wei, Hongbo Li, and Hsing‑Lin Wang. 2025. “Quantum Dots Mediated Crystallization Enhancement in Two-Step Processed Perovskite Solar Cells”. Nano-Micro Letters 17 (February):169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01677-5.
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