Improved degradation resistance of perovskite solar cells
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can be made with low-cost, highly efficient materials that could surpass traditional silicon solar cells and have the potential to revolutionize renewable energy. However, one of the current drawbacks that prevent their widespread use is the lack of operational stability.
Now, scientists at EPFL and Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea have found a way to improve the stability of the PSCs. The researchers focused on the degradation of perovskite thin film, may be damaged by exposure to moisture, heat and light. The research was carried out by a team of Professors Michael Grätzel (EPFL) and Nam-Gyu Park (Sungkyunkwan University), and is published in the journal Science.
The scientists looked at two specific crystal faces, a term that refers to the flat surface of a crystal, which is characterized by a specific arrangement of atoms. The arrangement of atoms on these faces can affect a crystal’s properties and behavior, such as its stability and response to external stimuli such as moisture or heat.
The researchers looked at the (100) and (111) sides of perovskite crystals. The (100) face is a plane perpendicular to the c-axis of the crystal with its atoms arranged in repeating pattern in the form of a grid of squares. In face (111) the atoms are arranged in a triangular grid.
Research shows that aspect (100), most commonly found in perovskite thin films, is particularly susceptible to degradation because it can rapidly transition to an unstable, inactive phase when exposed to moisture. In contrast, aspect (111) is much more stable and resistant to degradation.
The researchers also determined the cause of the degradation and found that it was due to the strong bond between perovskite and water molecule, causing a transition from a stable to an unstable phase. They used this information to develop a strategy called “aspect engineering”, in which they used special ligand molecules to develop more stable (111) side. This results in perovskite films that are particularly stable and resistant to moisture and heat.
The research represents an important step forward in the development of PSCs, as stability is a major obstacle to their commercialization. The findings help to better understand how different crystal faces contribute to film stability; By identifying the most stable aspects and finding ways to encourage their development, it is possible to improve the overall stability of PSCs and accelerate market entry as a valuable renewable energy source. reliable and cost effective.
More information:
Chunqing Ma et al, Revealing aspect-dependent attenuation and aspect engineering for stable perovskite solar cells, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adf3349. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf3349
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Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
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