Researchers from Monash, the University of Oxford, and the City University of Hong Kong have developed a novel strategy to enhance the stability and performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
Perovskite solar cells have been hailed as the next big thing beyond silicon solar cells. They are highly efficient, lightweight and cheap but for years their development has been beset by degradation and scalability issues.
Now, in a study published in Nature, researchers have developed a novel mechanism described as ‘self-healing’ to enhance stability and performance. The innovating agent they developed dynamically heals the perovskite layer when exposed to environmental stressors such as moisture and heat, ensuring sustained device performance and longevity.
Their game-changing approach resulted in solar cells with 25.1% power conversion efficiency and remarkable stability under 1000 hours of accelerated ageing tests at 85°C and simulated solar illumination.
“This work addresses critical issues related to defect passivation in perovskites that have hindered widespread adoption of this promising technology,” said Professor Udo Bach, study co-author and Director of Research Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Monash.
“Our slow-release strategy represents a significant advancement in the field of perovskite photovoltaics. By slowly releasing the passivating agents into our perovskite material, we have been able to produce solar cells not only with enhanced performance but also extended long-term stability under real-world conditions.”
“This breakthrough could pave way for more reliable and efficient perovskite solar cells contributing to the global transition towards sustainable energy solutions.”
This work was financially supported by the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), among others.
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