Origin of Persisting Photoresponse of One-Year Aged Two-Dimensional Lead Halide Perovskites Stored in Air under Dark Conditions

Two-dimensional halide perovskites are promising for advanced photonic, optoelectronic, and photovoltaic applications. However, their long-term stability is still a critical factor limiting their implementation into further commercial applications. Here, we present an environmental stability analysis of BA₂(MA)_<i>n-</i>1Pb_<i>n</i>I_3<i>n</i>+1 (BA = C₄H₁₂N⁺, MA = CH₆N⁺) two-dimensional perovskites with the lowest quantum well thicknesses of <i>n</i> = 1 and <i>n</i> = 2, after 1 year of aging under ambient humidity, oxygen content, and light conditions. We observed that both crystal phases (<i>n</i> = 1 and 2) degraded similarly, resulting in the removal of organic components and crystal decomposition into PbI₂, Pb oxides, and Pb hydroxides. However, we have found a significant difference between their aging under ambient light and dark conditions, affecting their degraded morphology and photoactivity. Both crystal phases exposed to ambient light aged into a morphology characterized by the formation of several pinholes and voids, accompanied by photoluminescence degradation. Samples stored under dark conditions surprisingly preserved their photoluminescence activity, which morphologically aged into microrod structures. We conclude that the observed loss of photoactivity of 2D perovskites aged under ambient light is attributed to photoaccelerated degradation processes causing faster crystal surface photo-oxidation accompanied by a creation of multiple I vacancies and hydration of the inner crystal. The retainment of photoactivity in 2D perovskites aged under dark conditions is attributed to slower surface oxidation processes into Pb salts, as confirmed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The formed surface layer even allows for a layer-by-layer degradation and acts as a protection barrier against further additional loss of I atoms and the consequent hydration of the inner part of samples. We demonstrate that light is the most critical external factor accelerating 2D perovskite degradation processes in ambient air and thus affecting their long-term stability. We conclude in this work that perovskite material structural engineering together with their surface passivation or encapsulation strategical techniques applied is an essential step for their further application into long-term stable commercial devices.