Aalto team develops improved aging tests for perovskite-based solar cells

Researchers at Aalto University in Finland have designed a new, simplified method for testing solar cells based on perovskite and dye sensitized technologies for degradation. This presumably follows Aalto's findings from February 2018 regarding deficiencies in current aging tests performed on perovskite-based solar cells.

The researchers explain that their fast, low threshold photography method could detect even slight disintegration in a perovskite structure, with more reliable results than optical measurement devices, and lower complexity and labor requirements than more commonly used x-ray crystallography.

The method is based on detecting changes in color caused by aging. Many dye sensitized cells contain iodine, which is bright yellow and gradually turns transparent with age. Some perovskites also tend to start off dark and become more yellow with age.

The team notes several shortcomings in current age testing methods, and states that better quality aging tests could make a major contribution to extending the lifetime of both these cell technologies. The team has already been able to suggest several ways to increase the lifespan of the cells.

'Understanding the ageing mechanism is very important,' explains adjunct professor (Docent), Kati Miettunen. 'By modifying the cell structure and the electrolyte we have managed to achieve as much as a tenfold increase in the lifetime of solar cells.'