Moisture Effects on Perovskite Solar Cell Stability

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as leading candidates for next-generation photovoltaics, owing to their high power conversion efficiencies and low fabrication costs. Yet their long-term operational stability remains challenged by ambient moisture, which interacts with the hybrid organic–inorganic lattice to trigger chemical decomposition, phase transformations and defect formation. Initially, low levels of water vapour can accelerate nucleation and promote grain growth, improving film uniformity and device performance. However, prolonged or uncontrolled exposure leads to hydrolysis of the perovskite framework into lead halide, volatile organic cations and hydrated intermediate phases. These processes disrupt charge-carrier pathways, increase trap densities and ultimately precipitate irreversible performance loss. The global drive towards sustainable energy intensifies the need for robust PSC architectures, precise moisture management and protective strategies—from compositional engineering to encapsulation—to ensure device longevity in real-world environments.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Advanced in situ analyses have revealed that moisture induces a stepwise hydrolysis of methylammonium lead iodide, passing through a detectable monohydrated intermediate before yielding lead iodide and aqueous organic salts. This sequence disrupts film continuity and degrades photoelectric properties, underscoring the importance of moisture-resistant compositions and rapid encapsulation. In parallel, controlled humidity treatments during the crystallisation of triple-cation perovskites have been shown to enhance the mass transport of organic precursors, yielding a spatially homogeneous intermediate and suppressing defect formation. Devices fabricated under such regulated moisture conditions achieve champion efficiencies approaching 24 % and retain over 80 % of their initial performance after hundreds of hours at maximum power point, illustrating how judicious moisture exposure can be harnessed to reconcile efficiency with stability.

Moisture Effects on Perovskite Solar Cell Stability publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in moisture effects on perovskite solar cell stability across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nucleation: The initial process in which perovskite crystal seeds form from precursor solution, determining grain size and film uniformity.

Hydrolysis: Chemical decomposition of the perovskite lattice by reaction with water, producing lead halide and soluble organic by-products.

Monohydrated phase: A transient intermediate containing one water molecule per perovskite unit, often less stable and prone to further degradation.

Quasi-solid-solid reaction: A moisture-assisted transformation occurring within the solid precursor film, promoting uniform conversion to the perovskite phase.

T80-lifetime: The operational duration over which a solar cell retains 80 % of its initial maximum power output under continuous illumination.

Encapsulation: Protective barrier applied to completed devices to block ingress of moisture and oxygen, thereby enhancing long-term stability.

References

1. Impact of H 2 O on organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells. Energy & Environmental Science (2017).
2. Investigation of the Hydrolysis of Perovskite Organometallic Halide CH3NH3PbI3 in Humidity Environment. Scientific Reports (2016).
3. Moisture-triggered fast crystallization enables efficient and stable perovskite solar cells. Nature Communications (2022).
4. Trace Water in Lead Iodide Affecting Perovskite Crystal Nucleation Limits the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells. Advanced Materials (2023).
5. Synergistic Role of Water and Oxygen Leads to Degradation in Formamidinium-Based Halide Perovskites. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2023).
6. Zero Threshold for Water Adsorption on MAPbBr3. Small (2023).