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Contact-triggered molecular interactions enable structural refinement of perovskite layers in solar cells

Lee, Seungmin, Jang, Yeoun-Woo, Cho, Hyeonah, Lim, Jihoo, Xie, Jiahao, Hong, Hyojin, Han, Woocheol, Oh, Oui Jin, Kim, Dong Hyun, Kang, Dong Hun, Cho, Wonjin, Mun, Hyun Jung, Shin, Tae Joo, Yun, Jae Sung, Davies-Jones, Josh, Davies, Philip R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4394-766X, Yan, Yanfa, Choi, Mansoo and Noh, Jun Hong 2026. Contact-triggered molecular interactions enable structural refinement of perovskite layers in solar cells. Nature Energy 10.1038/s41560-026-02027-4

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Abstract

Molecular interactions are crucial to improving the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells, yet current solution-based approaches relying on molecular incorporation or surface passivation show inherent limitations in separately controlling these interactions. Here we reveal an intrinsic interfacial interaction that arises from simple contact between individually crystallized two-dimensional and three-dimensional perovskites without mixing or permanent bonding. We define this contact-triggered cationic interaction (CCI), which reversibly constrains molecular degrees of freedom, suppresses phase transitions, enhances carrier lifetimes and induces a unique recrystallization of the three-dimensional framework. This CCI-driven recrystallization produces refined FAPbI3 with improved cation homogeneity, reduced lattice disorder and superior optoelectronic properties. Devices using CCI-driven FAPbI3 achieve 26.25% efficiency (25.61% certified) and retain a projected operational lifetime exceeding 20,000 h. Our findings provide the first quantitative evidence that intrinsic interfacial cationic interactions can directly influence perovskite material quality and device performance.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Published Online
Status: Published
Schools: Schools > Chemistry
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISSN: 2058-7546
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 7 April 2026
Date of Acceptance: 3 March 2026
Last Modified: 07 Apr 2026 13:17
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/186205

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