Dissolution and recrystallization of perovskite induced by N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in a closed steam annealing method

High quality perovskite films with large columnar grains are greatly desired for efficient perovskite solar cells. Here, low volatility N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) was added in MAI/IPA solution in a two-step spin-coating method, which promoted the conversion of lead iodide to perovskite. The perovskite films were annealed by a closed-steam annealing method to prolong the recrystallization process of perovskite films assisted by the residual NMP. It leaded to high quality CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite films with large columnar grains due to its enhancement of the Oswald ripening. The large grain perovskite film leaded to efficient carrier transformation and injection, and low recombination. The photovoltaic performance of the perovskite solar cells was improved significantly.