Precise Anchoring of Pb-Based Defects for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells: A Universal Strategy from Lab-Scale Small-Area Devices to Large-Area Modules

Solution-processed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) generally suffer from serious Pb-based defects, and the issue becomes more pronounced during the upscaling process. A universal strategy that bridges small-area devices and large-area modules is imperative for advancing PSC technology from the lab toward market readiness. Here, to effectively address the Pb-based defect proliferation issues of perovskite surfaces, an <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-maleoyl-glycine (NMG) post-treatment anchoring strategy was proposed. Precise anchoring of Pb-based defects was achieved due to the strong Lewis acid-base interactions between NMG functional molecules and perovskites. Consequently, a relatively high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.45% was achieved for the small-area devices, due to the greatly improved open-circuit voltage (<i>V</i>_oc) and fill factor (FF). More importantly, impressive PCEs of 19.58% (with regular n-i-p configurations) and 18.75% (with inverted p-i-n configurations) were achieved for the large-area PSC modules with an active area of 64 cm², confirming their compatibility with the upscaling process. Furthermore, the unencapsulated NMG-based devices maintain more than 90% of their initial PCE after continuous 1 sun illumination for 1000 h under maximum power point (MPP) tracking, demonstrating exceptional operational stability. Our achievements provided a universal and promising strategy for both small-area devices and large-area modules, thus potentially expediting their upscaling applications.