Electrical engineering

Nanotechnology

Energy conversion efficiency

Perovskite solar cell

Organic solar cell

Macroeconomics

Engineering

Perovskite (structure)

Physical chemistry

Composite material

Economics

Chemistry

Materials science

Leakage (economics)

Degradation (telecommunications)

Computer science

Photovoltaic system

Cathode

Solar cell

Chemical engineering

Optoelectronics

Polymer

Telecommunications

Nature Nanotechnology

Despite the notable progress in perovskite solar cells, maintaining long-term operational stability and minimizing potentially leaked lead (Pb2+) ions are two challenges that are yet to be resolved. Here we address these issues using a thiol-functionalized 2D conjugated metal–organic framework as an electron-extraction layer at the perovskite/cathode interface. The resultant devices exhibit high power conversion efficiency (22.02%) along with a substantially improved long-term operational stability. The perovskite solar cell modified with a metal–organic framework could retain more than 90% of its initial efficiency under accelerated testing conditions, that is continuous light irradiation at maximum power point tracking for 1,000 h at 85 °C. More importantly, the functionalized metal–organic framework could capture most of the Pb2+ leaked from the degraded perovskite solar cells by forming water-insoluble solids. Therefore, this method that simultaneously tackles the operational stability and lead contamination issues in perovskite solar cells could greatly improve the feasibility of large-scale deployment of perovskite photovoltaic technology. Two-dimensional conjugated metal–organic frameworks used as an electron-extraction layer enable the realization of highly stable perovskite solar cells with minimized lead ion leakage.

2D metal–organic framework for stable perovskite solar cells with minimized lead leakage