Researchers use TiO2 nanoparticles for stable and efficient perovskite modules

A team of scientists, led by Mohammad Nazeeruddin at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), has found a way to address the scaling up challenges of perovskites. The scientists have developed an easy solvothermal method to produce single-crystalline titanium dioxide rhombohedral nanoparticles that can be used to build a perovskite film.

The new structure is said to feature a lower amount of lattice mismatches, referring to the "ladder-like" structure of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles. This translates into a lower number of defects, which ensures better electron flow throughout with lower power loss.

Testing the new nanoparticle-based, small-size solar cells, the scientists achieved a power-conversion efficiency of 24.05% and a fill factor of 84.7%. The cells also reportedly maintained about 90% of their initial performance after continuous operation for 1400 hours.

The scientists also fabricated large-area cells, which certified an efficiency of 22.72% with an active area of nearly 24 cm². This "represents the highest efficiency modules with the lowest loss in efficiency when scaling up," concluded the authors.