The iodide and bromide based alkylated halides find applications as precursors for fabrication of perovskites for photovoltaic applications. Diethylammonium iodide (DAI), a two dimensional (2D) organic-inorganic halide material that is used in the crystallization of perovskites, improves the quality of the films. Its properties include moisture resistance and hydrophobicity that make it useful in the formation of perovskite films. It further results in the fabrication of perovskite-based solar cells with a high absorption coefficient and good power conversion efficiency (PCE). The iodide and bromide based alkylated halides find applications as precursors for fabrication of perovskites for photovoltaic applications. Diethylammonium iodide (DAI), a two dimensional (2D) organic-inorganic halide material that is used in the crystallization of perovskites, improves the quality of the films. Its properties include moisture resistance and hydrophobicity that make it useful in the formation of perovskite films. It further results in the fabrication of perovskite-based solar cells with a high absorption coefficient and good power conversion efficiency (PCE).