Real-Time Investigation of Sn(II) Oxidation in Pb-Free Halide Perovskites by X-ray Absorption and Mossbauer Spectroscopy

Sn(II) halide perovskites are a less toxic alternative to Pb-based materials in perovskite solar cells, but oxidation to Sn(IV) introduces additional degradation pathways. Improving stability requires mechanistic pictures of O-2- and H2O-induced degradation and their synergy. We demonstrate that X-ray absorption spectroscopy reports the average valency of the bulk material, allowing oxidation kinetics to be measured from minutes to days. Optical and X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate the challenge of isolating oxidative degradation with techniques lacking element specificity and oxidation state sensitivity. Finally, Sn-119 Mossbauer spectroscopy is presented as a lab-based technique capable of providing information on valency and speciation throughout oxidation.