Uniform Monolithic Perovskite Films for Scalable Modules: Anti‐Solvent‐Free Crystallization via Seed Priming and Vacuum Processing
ABSTRACT Scaling high‐efficiency perovskite solar cells into commercially viable modules remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate a seed‐primed, vacuum‐assisted crystallization (S‐VAC) strategy that links oleylamine‐induced α‐phase nanocrystal seeding to vacuum‐driven vertical crystal growth. Complementary in situ characterization, including time‐resolved GIWAXS, solution‐state NMR, and dynamic light scattering (DLS), reveals that oleylamine forms uniform ≈1.7 nm α‐phase seeds in the precursor solution via hydrogen bonding with FA + cations and steric stabilization. These seeds prime the substrate for controlled, single‐crystal‐like vertical growth under low‐pressure vacuum processing, thereby eliminating the need for toxic antisolvents. The resulting monolithic perovskite films exhibit strong (100) texture and high uniformity across 15 × 15 cm 2 substrates. Using S‐VAC, we achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.2% for 2.5 × 2.5 cm 2 devices and a certified efficiency of 19.1% for 15 × 15 cm 2 mini‐modules. Encapsulated modules retain >94% of their initial efficiency after one year of continuous outdoor operation. By establishing a molecular‐level basis for oleylamine‐assisted seed formation and demonstrating scalable, antisolvent‐free processing, this work advances seed‐assisted crystallization and supports the practical commercialization of robust and sustainable perovskite photovoltaics.
Authors
- Ji Hoon Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3924-0434)
- Siyeon Seo
- Junsu Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9583-7978)
- Weifan Luo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2485-7592)
- Seungyeon Hong
- Ghewa AlSabeh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2849-8827)
- Sung Hun Lee
- Jovana V. Milić (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9965-3460)
- O Jung Kwon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4699-8665)
- Hwang Dy
- JONG‐MIN KIM
- Gye Woon Choi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6363-3398)
- Yu Jin Kang
- Olzhas Kurman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9735-0362)
- Dong‐Geon Kwun
- Ji‐Youn Seo
- Thanh‐Danh Nguyen
- In Hwa Cho
- Sohyun Park
- Dong‐Ok Kim
- Sun‐Ju Kim
- Min Jun Choi
- Geun‐young Yoon
- Michael Grätzel
Institutions
- University of Fribourg (CH)
- Korea Electric Power Corporation (South Korea) (KR)
- Adolphe Merkle Institute (CH)
- Pusan National University (KR)
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)
- Ajou University (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Energy Materials
- Published
- 2026-01-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202506521
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Perovskite Materials and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 21.93