Researchers develop novel lead-free antimony-based perovskite solar modules
Lead-halide perovskites hold great promise as the next generation of PVs, but unstable lead exposure through gas, water, and soil accumulation could have detrimental consequences if not properly controlled and recycled as perovskite use expands globally. There are also stability issues limiting operational lifetime for lead-perovskite devices themselves. Researchers have attempted to replace lead with slightly less toxic tin, but thus far tin-based perovskites still suffer from air instability. Without breakthroughs in stability and environmental safety, scaling perovskite solar technology could flood our waste stream with hazardous materials. Now, researchers from CHOSE (Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy) at the University of Rome Tor Vergata have addressed the concerns regarding toxicity and recyclability associated with the lead contained in perovskite solar cells.
Image credit: ACS Energy Letters
The scientists may have found a solution in a new lead-free antimony-based perovskite solar cell design. Their recent research demonstrates a mixed-cation perovskite-inspired material (PIM) that boosted efficiency by 81% compared to conventional cesium-only antimony solar cells, while also exhibiting unmatched stability.