Researchers at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), Pukyong National University, University of Fribourg and Pusan National University have developed a highly durable flexible perovskite solar cell material and fabrication process that remains stable even under high humidity conditions. This breakthrough could enable the production of high-efficiency solar cells in ambient air without the need for expensive equipment, offering the potential for significant cost reductions in manufacturing.
The research team's defect passivation strategy utilizes two-dimensional (2D) perovskite materials to sandwich the light-absorbing layer of the solar cell from both the top and bottom. Using it, the team successfully fabricated high-efficiency, durable flexible solar cells that operate stably even under relative humidity conditions of up to 50%. The solar cells also demonstrated outstanding stability, retaining over 85% of their efficiency after 2,800 hours of operation. Furthermore, the devices maintained 96% of their initial efficiency after 10,000 bending cycles, and preserved 87% efficiency in extreme shear-sliding tests, validating their mechanical robustness.
This achievement demonstrates a method for fabricating perovskite solar cells without the need for expensive temperature- and humidity-controlled environments, while also exhibiting one of the highest levels of mechanical stability among flexible solar cells developed to date. Notably, the technology has also proven its scalability by being successfully applied to large-area continuous production processes, enhancing its potential for commercialization. It is expected that this advancement will accelerate the growth of the rollable solar cell and wearable electronics markets, while also promoting the industrialization of large-scale manufacturing processes and strengthening international competitiveness in solar energy technology.
Dr. Dong-chan Lim, the lead researcher at KIMS, stated, “With this technology, it is now possible to manufacture high-efficiency perovskite solar cells in ambient air without costly equipment, significantly reducing production costs.” He added, “In particular, the exceptional durability of the flexible devices makes them promising candidates for applications in wearable electronics and vehicle-integrated solar power systems.”
This research was funded by the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST), the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), and the Switzerland-Korea joint research project (SuraFlexi).
