Perovskite solar cells are cheaper, more efficient, thinner, and more flexible than other solar cell technologies, but they have one major drawback: they lack durability and therefore longevity.
Researchers in Lithuania say they found a way to curb a major cause of performance loss in next-generation solar cells, a step that could make these cheaper and lighter panels far more practical.
Here's what to know
The work focuses on perovskite solar cells, a rapidly advancing technology that many researchers see as a possible complement to, or even replacement for, conventional silicon panels.
The new study, covered by Technology Networks, examines a tiny but essential layer inside the device that has long been known to harm nearby materials.
At Kaunas University of Technology, Dr. Kasparas Rakštys and his collaborators changed the chemistry of a thin interfacial layer by converting its acidic molecules into ionic salts. The result was a less corrosive connection between layers, which helped the cells remain efficient and stable for longer.
Compared with standard silicon modules, perovskite cells can offer increased efficiency while also being lightweight, flexible, and less energy-intensive to make. Their main challenge has been staying stable when exposed to heat, moisture, and oxygen.
Rakštys explained the design this way: "Simply put, a solar cell can be imagined as a multi-layered sandwich in which each layer is made of a different material and performs a specific function."
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The researchers said the technique was effective beyond tiny laboratory devices. In tandem perovskite solar cells, which absorb different parts of the solar spectrum, the team reported power conversion efficiency above 29%.
More background
Advances like this are of great importance as electricity demand rises worldwide. Artificial intelligence is expected to put even more pressure on power systems by 2030, as Technology Networks noted.
Solar that is cheaper to produce, easier to install, and durable could help utilities, businesses, and homeowners meet that demand without pumping out more planet-warming pollution.
Improved reliability could also expand where perovskite panels can be used. Because they can be ultra-thin and flexible, they may eventually be installed on building facades, windows, and other surfaces where conventional panels are harder to place.
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A broader range of solar applications could lower energy bills, create more opportunities to generate electricity near where it is used, and improve air quality as more communities move from fossil-fuel power to renewables. The team has filed for patent protection and started commercialization.
Rakštys added that perovskites are attracting growing interest from the space sector because they are lightweight and offer strong radiation resistance compared with silicon.
What's being done?
In Rakštys' words, perovskites "open up opportunities to integrate solar cells into places where this is currently difficult, such as building facades, windows and even textiles."
The Kaunas University of Technology team is continuing to refine these "neutralized" self-assembled monolayers while also exploring new molecules.
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