June 2025

A research team, led by Professor Yang Chang-deok at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), recently synthesized high-quality perovskite thin films by adding a substance derived from camphor trees. It is expected to improve the lifespan and efficiency of perovskite solar cells due to the absence of residual materials, and to reduce manufacturing costs by simplifying the process.

In perovskite thin films used in solar cells, scientists tend to look for large crystal size and uniform arrangement, to allow a smooth flow of electrons and sturdy structure. Additives are used to create such high-quality films, but if residuals remain following manufacturing, they can cause performance degradation. To solve this issue, the research team used camphorquinone as a thin-film additive. Camphorquinone is a substance where an oxidation functional group is added to the camphor extracted from the camphor tree. It possesses sublimation properties like camphor, transitioning directly from solid to gas, but sublimates gradually unlike camphor. During the primary heat treatment process, it helps ensure uniform crystallization seeds, some of which sublimate, while the rest remain in the thin film long enough to grow crystals before completely sublimating during the secondary heat treatment.

Researchers at China's Westlake University and Zhejiang University have developed a passivation strategy that could neutralize surface defects in a wide range of perovskites and is also easier to integrate with existing solar cell manufacturing processes than other passivation methods introduced in the past. This strategy relies on the use of a modified alcohol solvent called fluorinated isopropanol, which limits undesirable chemical reactions between a passivation agent and perovskite layers.

"Surface defect passivation is crucial for improving the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells," Sisi Wang, Weizhong Tian and their colleagues wrote in their paper. "However, its reproducibility and universal applicability have not been fully explored, limiting large-scale production. We introduce a passivation strategy based on fluorinated isopropanol for full passivation of surface defects with only a thin layer of low-dimensional perovskite, which does not interfere with charge transport."

It was reported that at SCE 2025, a leading Chinese consumer electronics event, Yanhe Technology showcased its Qiguang and Qiongyin perovskite photovoltaic series, reportedly attracting strong interest and signing multiple strategic agreements on-site.

Designed for a wide range of applications - including smart homes, wearables, and portable electronics - Yanhe’s solutions prioritize lightweight, compact designs that significantly extend device battery life. “Consumer electronics are increasingly demanding in terms of power and flexibility. Perovskite technology offers a compelling alternative to conventional photovoltaics,” said a Yanhe representative during a live product demonstration. “From wearables to edge computing, we see energy efficiency as the next critical frontier.”

An international collaboration that includes researchers from UNSW, University of Cambridge, Colorado State University, Imperial College London, ANSTO Sydney and synchrotron facilities in Australia, the UK, and Germany recently found that dynamic nanodomains within lead halide perovskites could be vital for boosting their efficiency and stability. 

The team examined the nature of these microscopic structures, and how they impact the way electrons are energized by light and transported through the material, offering insights into more efficient solar cells.

Researchers at the NUS College of Design and Engineering have reported a perovskite - organic tandem solar cell with a certified world-record power conversion efficiency of 26.4% over a one cm² active area. The team stated that this is the highest-performing device of its kind to date and is driven by a newly designed narrow-bandgap organic absorber that significantly enhances near-infrared (NIR) photon harvesting, a long-standing bottleneck in thin-film tandem solar cells.

This achievement was achieved by a team led by Assistant Professor Hou Yi, a Presidential Young Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at CDE, and head of the Perovskite-based Multijunction Solar Cells Group at the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at NUS. 

GCL Optoelectronic Materials has launched its gigawatt-scale perovskite industrial base in Kunshan, marking the start of operations at the GW-level tandem perovskite module manufacturing facility. With an initial phase of 1 GW and an ultimate planned capacity of 2 GW, the $700 million investment is expected to further unlock advantages in cost, efficiency, and stability as mass production ramps up.

On-site view of GCL Optoelectronic Materials' GW-scale perovskite production facility. Image from: LinkedIn

GCL stated in the past that it is pursuing a “gigawatt-scale production + scenario-based demonstration” strategy to commercialize its tandem modules. It has been commissioning equipment for its first gigawatt-scale production line, which has now opened. The line will manufacture 2.76 m² large-area perovskite tandem modules and has an expected annual output value of CNY 1 billion ($138.8 million).

Following the announcement on Halocell's new partnership with Sofab Inks to accelerate innovation in perovskite PV technology, Halocell has announced the launch of its Ambient Module series based on perovskite PV cells manufactured at its production facility in its home market.

Halocell Energy said the Ambient solar modules are a lightweight, flexible, and highly efficient energy harvesting solution that is capable of generating enough electricity indoors to replace disposable batteries.

Halocell Energy and Sofab Inks have announced a strategic partnership that brings together photovoltaic innovation and advanced materials science. By combining the two companies' expertise, they aim to accelerate product readiness of perovskite solar cells and streamline scalable manufacturing processes.

Under the new partnership, Sofab Inks is suppling Halocell with advanced nanoparticle inks, co-developed for Halocell's charge transport layers. Meanwhile, Halocell continues to formulate and manufacture its exclusive perovskite inks, optimized for a diverse range of applications. The collaboration supports the production of flexible, foil-like photovoltaic modules designed for seamless integration across a wide spectrum of use cases - from battery free environmental monitors and smart sensors to drones, satellites, and rooftop solar - engineered for both indoor and outdoor lighting conditions.

Researchers from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Tsinghua University recently developed an innovative strategy to alleviate NiOx corrosion, enabling more efficient and stable all-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs).

The device architecture of 2-T tandem solar cells. Image from: Nature Communications

In all-perovskite TSCs, a wide-bandgap (WBG) top cell captures high-energy photons, while a narrow-bandgap (NBG) bottom cell absorbs lower-energy wavelengths. This design optimizes solar spectrum utilization, significantly boosting overall efficiency. However, the strongly acidic phosphoric acid (PA) anchors in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) would corrode NiOx. This interaction in WBG top cells degrades device performance in terms of both efficiency and stability. To address this issue, the researchers used less-acidic boric acid (BA) as a milder anchoring group to construct BA-SAMs. Via strong coordination between -BO2- and Ni, these BA-SAMs form robust interfacial bonds with the NiOX surface, which exhibits higher binding energy than conventional PA-SAMs. 

It was reported that a team of scientists from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan has created perovskite solar cells (PSCs) that effectively convert indoor lighting into electrical power. The scientists built on previous research, which shows PSCs can achieve efficiency rates comparable to silicon solar cells while working.

The team tested their solar cells, showing promising results. Under one standard sun illumination (roughly 12,000 lux), the team’s perovskite cells achieved a PCE of 12.7%. This is relatively low compared to the 26% PCE of some of the highest performing silicon solar cells. However, under a much lower 2,000 lux, the PSCs displayed an impressive PCE of 38.7%. 2,000 lux is roughly the brightness level found in a standard office space.