Efficiency

Researchers develop high-performance bifacial perovskite solar cells using single-walled carbon nanotubes

Researchers at the University of Surrey, University of Cambridge and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xidian University, and Zhengzhou University have developed a novel approach for bifacial perovskite devices using single-walled carbon nanotubes as both front and back electrodes.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes offer high transparency, conductivity, and stability, enabling bifacial PSCs with a bifaciality factor of over 98% and a power generation density of over 36%. 

Read the full story Posted: Mar 19,2024

Researchers develop method to regulate the hole transport layer for efficient perovskite solar cells

Researchers at CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and Henan University have developed a nanomaterial-regulated doping strategy to pre-oxidize spiro-OMeTAD into radicals in the precursor solution with tin sulfoxide (SnSO) nanomaterials prepared at high temperature. The team increased the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to 24.5% using the inorganic SnSO as a dopant to oxidize and regulate the organic hole transport layer 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis[N,N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,9-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD).

Spiro-OMeTAD is an important hole transport layer (HTL) material. To enhance the charge transport capability of spiro-OMeTAD, lithium trifluoromethanesulfonyl imide (Li-TFSI) is required to mediate the reaction between oxygen and spiro-OMeTAD. However, this traditional doping method has low doping efficiency, and excessive Li-TFSI will remain in the spiro-OMeTAD film, leading to a decrease in the compactness and long-term conductivity of the film. The duration of the oxidation reaction usually takes 10 to 24 hours to reach the desired conductivity and work function. In this study, the researchers developed a fast and reproducible strategy to control the oxidation of the nanomaterial. They used SnSO nanomaterial to pre-oxidize spiro-OMeTAD to spiro-OMeTAD+TFSI- free radicals in precursor solutions. This improved the conductivity, optimized the energy level position of HTL, and achieved a high PCE of 24.5%.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 18,2024

Researchers use BCP to boost the performance of perovskite solar cells

In a recent study by researchers from Henan University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the interface of indium tin oxide/electron transport layer (ITO/ETL) in n-i-p structured devices was targeted. Electron transport layers are typically fabricated using commercial nano tin dioxide, which often displays insufficient density. To combat this, the scientists employed the commonly used bathocuproine (BCP) material to treat the ITO/ETL interface. 

The incorporation of BCP diminishes the direct contact between the perovskite and ITO layers, while also passivating buried interface and adjusting the crystal orientation of perovskites. Furthermore, the substrate layer exhibits improved transparency, consequently elevating the utilization rate of light by perovskite.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 17,2024

Kunshan GCL Photoelectric Materials announces 19.04% efficiency on single-junction perovskite modules (1,000mmx2,000mm)

Reports suggest that China-based GCL (via its new subsidiary Kunshan GCL Photoelectric Materials) has achieved a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 19.04% on a 1,000mm x 2,000mm single-junction perovskite solar module. The result was reportedly officially tested by the China National Institute of Metrology to confirm the results.

The GCL Perovskite team stated it is "delighted to have achieved its goal of surpassing the expected conversion efficiency of 19% for standard-sized perovskite modules, having previously achieved 18.04% conversion efficiency for a single-junction perovskite solar module in November 2023". And the team is one step closer to its efficiency target of 26% for a 2m² (1,000mm × 2,000mm) single-junction perovskite solar module, while focusing on research and development for the next generation of tandem perovskite modules.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 09,2024

Researchers develop record efficiency triple-junction solar cells using cyanate

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Beijing University of Technology, Suzhou Maxwell Technologies and Technical University of Munich have developed a triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell that can reportedly achieve a certified world-record power conversion efficiency of 27.1% across a solar energy absorption area of 1 sq cm, representing the best-performing triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell thus far. To achieve this, the team engineered a new cyanate-integrated perovskite solar cell that is stable and energy efficient.

Current multi-junction solar cell technologies pose many issues, such as energy loss which leads to low voltage and instability of the device during operation. To overcome these challenges, Assistant Professor at NUS, Hou Yi, led a team of scientists to demonstrate, for the first time, the successful integration of cyanate into a perovskite solar cell to develop a novel triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell that surpasses the performance of other similar multi-junction solar cells. 

Read the full story Posted: Mar 05,2024

Researchers use thin perovskite layers to improve stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) scientists, along with collaborators from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), have reported a new strategy to design perovskite solar cells (PSCs) that improves their stability and raises their efficiency.

Image credit: KAUST

Defects at the top and bottom interfaces of three-dimensional (3D) perovskite photo-absorbers diminish the performance and operational stability of PSCs due to charge recombination, ion migration, and electric-field inhomogeneities. In this recent work, the team demonstrated that long alkyl-amine ligands can generate near-phase pure two-dimensional (2D) perovskites at the top and bottom 3D perovskite interfaces and effectively resolves these issues.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 05,2024

Researchers develop method for non-laser, all-vapor-phase processed perovskite solar modules stabilized by naturally formed barrier layers

Researchers at HZB's HySPRINT Innovation Lab, China's Tianjin University of Technology and Tianjin Institute of Power Sources have developed a non-laser additive method for manufacturing perovskite solar modules, in which an adjustable wire mask (AWM) was used to form the channels that were traditionally scribed by lasers. 

When module channels are made by conventional laser scribing, the heat-sensitive perovskite materials decompose, and the decomposition of perovskites in the open channel leads to reduced module stability. The electrode corrosion caused by the direct contact between the exposed perovskites and the metal electrode significantly increases the series resistance of the module. In this recent work, the team developed a non-laser additive method for manufacturing perovskite solar modules, in which an adjustable wire mask (AWM) was used to form the channels that were traditionally scribed by lasers. This method for making modules prevents contact between perovskites and electrodes. All layers, including perovskites, hole/electron transporting, and passivating and electrode layers, were fabricated via vapor-phase deposition, and by tuning the precursor composition, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.7% was obtained (0.1 cm2). 

Read the full story Posted: Mar 03,2024

Wuxi UtmoLight reports 20.7% steady-state efficiency for its perovskite solar modules

Chinese perovskite PV manufacturer Wuxi UtmoLight has announced ‘a new world record’ for steady-state efficiency on large-size perovskite solar modules. It has achieved 20.7% efficiency on an 810 cm² module. The Company claims to have attained a certification to this efficiency level by China’s National Photovoltaic Industry Measurement and Testing Center. 

UtmoLight says it significantly improved the crystallization of perovskite films by regulating the stress of the perovskite bulk phase and interface during the process of film formation, without sharing other details. The Chinese company has been making efforts to establish industrial production of perovskite modules. Currently operating a 150 MW line in China, it aims to expand to a GW-scale perovskite PV production line.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 02,2024

Researchers use crown ethers to simultaneously prevent lead leakage and moisture degradation

Researchers at Korea's Pusan National University, Kyungpook National University, Switzerland's École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and University of Fribourg have pioneered an approach that not only rectifies lead leakage but also focuses on interfacial passivation. The team used the method to achieve perovskite solar cells with 21.7% power conversion energy.

The presence of lead ions in perovskite solar cells not only causes lead leakage, which is hazardous to the environment, but in the presence of moisture, the perovskite tends to degrade. Multiple approaches have been suggested to resolve this issue, including encapsulating the device and compositional engineering of the perovskite light absorbers. The crown ether was found to assist in resisting degradation due to moisture for 300 hours at room temperature and 85 percent humidity. In the study, the researchers tested many crown ethers, but found that B18C6 was the best for interfacial passivation.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 01,2024