New publication out! Work with the University of Konstanz reveal how quenching methods influence the morphology and efficiency of perovskite cells.

October 12, 2025

In this collaborative work with the group of Prof. Lukas Schmidt-Mende at the University of Konstanz, we studied the effects of different quenching methods on the surface topography of Cs0.15FA0.85Pb(I0.6Br0.4)3 perovskite films. Specifically, we compared antisolvent quenching and gas quenching, both commonly used to initiate perovskite crystallization by removing the precursor solvent.

Our study revealed that antisolvent-quenched films exhibited a higher density of surface “wrinkles” compared to gas-quenched films. These wrinkles were associated with pinholes and a rougher surface, which hindered homogeneous contact with the adjacent passivation layers and ultimately reduced the solar cell performance. In contrast, gas quenching reduced wrinkle formation, leading to smoother films and improved photovoltaic performance.

The main outcome of this work is that the quenching method has a direct impact on perovskite film morphology and device efficiency, providing a clear strategy for optimizing perovskite solar cells. This insight can guide future fabrication approaches to enhance the performance and reliability of perovskite-based photovoltaics.

Reference:
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2025.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c07659