Radiation versus environmental degradation in unencapsulated metal halide perovskite solar cells

Here, the radiation hardness of metal halide perovskite solar cells exposed to space conditions versus the effects of environmental degradation are assessed. The relative response of the constituent layers of the architecture to radiation is analyzed, revealing a general resilience of the structure when assessed across varying proton energy levels and fluences. However, despite the tolerance of the structure to irradiation, sensitivity to environmental degradation is observed during the transit of the device between the radiation and characterization facilities. Experimental evidence suggests the NiO_x/perovskite interface is particularly sensitive to the effects of humidity and/or temperature exposure, while the irradiation of the devices appears to induce thermally activated annealing: improving the solar cells upon radiation exposure.