An international team of researchers from Germany's HZB, China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University and several Japanese universities have made progress in the development of ultra-flexible perovskite solar cells (u-FPSCs), a promising technology for applications like wearable electronics, medical devices, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The team focused on enhancing the long-term stability of u-FPSCs. By integrating a dual hole transport layer of nickel oxide and a carbazole-based self-assembled monolayer (2PACz) onto transparent polyimide substrates, they achieved solar cell devices with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.3% and operational stability with almost no PCE losses exceeding 1,200 h in inert conditions. To enhance device stability in air, the scientists introduced a 15-nm Al₂O₃ humidity barrier that preserved 90% of the device’s initial performance after 130 h in air.
The team stated that this achievement represents the highest stability reported for u-FPSCs to date. Importantly, this added protection does not compromise the device’s specific power and bending stability.
This recent work demonstrates a practical path forward for durable, high-performance solar cells tailored for flexible and wearable energy systems.
