Researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), University of Science and Technology of China, North Minzu University, Hefei University of Technology, Greece's Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN) and Australia's Greatcell Energy have developed perovskite solar cells with a self-recovery capability and high stability in humid environment by introducing polymer called polyvinylpyrrolidone.
The team has shown that polyvinylpyrrolidone, a long chain insulating polymer, could form hydrogen bonds with ions in the cells and also prevent moisture in the air from invading perovskite materials. The hydrogen-bonding-initiated self-healing repairs the decayed perovskite solar cell back to the original state, continue to work, and alleviate long-term cell instability.