Shielding the environment: Perfluoroalkylated pyrenes prevent lead leakage from perovskite solar cell

Lead leaching from perovskite solar cells remains a critical environmental concern, particularly in humid conditions that accelerate degradation. This study investigates the role of perfluorinated pyrene compounds in the Hole Transport Layer (HTL) as a promising strategy to reduce lead release from perovskite solar cells. For the first time, at the best of our knowledge, the tests were carried out by using the normalized condition dictated by standard UNI EN 12457-2. The Atomic Force Microscopy analyses reveal that the incorporation of perfluoroalkylated pyrene compounds reduced surface roughness and enhanced film uniformity, thereby preventing lithium salt aggregation and maintaining the structural integrity of the HTL without significantly altering the efficiency of the photovoltaic device. Moreover, a decrease in lead leaching was observed, from 5.5 to 3.0 mg/L, in the photovoltaic modules when Perfluoroalkylated Pyrenes were added. Furthermore, the hydrophobic nature of these compounds significantly limits lead leaching, by approximately 45 %, compared to conventional perovskite solar cells. As a result, the addition of perfluoroalkylated pyrene compounds effectively decreases lead leaching, contributing to improved environmental stability and device longevity. These findings highlight a promising strategy for reducing lead contamination in perovskite photovoltaics, paving the way for more sustainable and stable solar cell technologies.