‘Three-ply’ microstructure gives perovskite solar cells a powerful efficiency lift

A collaborative analysis staff from the Hong Kong College of Science and Expertise (HKUST) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic College (PolyU) has developed an modern laminated interface microstructure that enhances the soundness and photoelectric conversion effectivity of inverted perovskite photo voltaic cells. The analysis is published within the journal Nature Synthesis.

Perovskite photo voltaic cells have appreciable potential to interchange conventional silicon photo voltaic cells in numerous purposes, together with grid electrical energy, moveable energy sources, and area photovoltaics. This is because of their distinctive benefits, reminiscent of high efficiencylow value, and aesthetic enchantment.

The fundamental constructions of perovskite solar cells are categorised into two sorts: commonplace and inverted. The inverted construction demonstrates higher utility prospects as a result of the digital supplies utilized in every layer are extra steady in comparison with these in the usual configuration.

Nevertheless, challenges associated to interface science nonetheless exist in inverted units, notably regarding defect accumulation on the interface between the fullerene-based electron transport layer and the perovskite floor. This defect accumulation considerably impacts the gadget’s efficiency and stability.

Prof. Zhou Yuanyuan, Affiliate Professor within the Division of Chemical and Organic Engineering (CBE) and Affiliate Director of the Vitality Institute at HKUST, leads a staff centered on elementary analysis into perovskite optoelectronic units from a novel structural perspective. They collaborated intently with Prof. Cai Songhua’s staff from the Division of Utilized Physics at PolyU.

Their analysis revealed that by uniformly making a “molecular passivation layer-fullerene derivative layer-2D perovskite layer”—a “three-ply” laminated construction on the floor of the perovskite movie—they might successfully scale back the density of interface defects and enhance power stage alignment. This development considerably boosts the photoelectric conversion effectivity of the perovskite photo voltaic cell and enhances the sturdiness of the interface below damp-heat and light-weight soaking circumstances.

Dr. Guo Pengfei, co-first writer of this work and a postdoctoral fellow at HKUST’s CBE Division, mentioned, “We introduced the concept of composite materials into the interface design of optoelectronic devices, allowing the synergistic effects of each layer in this new interface to achieve results that are unattainable with traditional interface engineering.”

Prof. Zhou, the lead corresponding writer of the research, added, “Perovskite is a soft lattice material. We can create microstructural features in this type of material that are difficult to achieve with conventional materials. Our aim is to understand the formation and mechanisms of these microstructures at the nanoscale, or even at the atomic scale, to drive device innovation based on this fundamental understanding.”