Perovskite solar is regarded as the next generation PV technology owing to its high conversion efficiency and relatively easy manufacturing process, though its fatal flaw lies on the proneness to decomposition under sunlight, which is a major setback for solar panels who rely on sunlight. US scientists have now discovered the reason behind the particular deterioration, and proposed a simple fix.
Silicon solar has been the reigning champion in the solar industry, with no materials coming close in terms of efficiency, lifespan, and cost. However, metal halide perovskite is now emerging expeditiously by approaching an efficiency of nearly 25% in merely 10 years, and it is also cheaper, lighter, and more flexible.
With that being said, perovskite is prone to decomposition under sunlight, and the corresponding efficiency would naturally decline over time. Scientists in the past had attempted to resolve the lifespan problem by adding macromolecules, old paint, carbon nanodots made with hair, 2D additives, capsicum compounds, and quantum dots.
Research personnel from UCLA has recently discovered the reason for perovskite solar’s deterioration, which is attributable to the surface treatment of correct defect and efficiency elevation. The organic ions on the surface of solar cells are able to elevate solar power generation efficiency, however, they also result in low durability, since the congregation of ions on the surface would damage the array of perovskite atoms, which leads to decomposition over time.
Hence, the research decided to resolve the issue by pairing positive and negative ions in surface treatment that will help to maintain neutrality and stabilization for the surface of batteries, as well as avoid interfering with defect prevention. After testing out the effect of the solution, the research personnel at UCLA placed the solar cell under strong light 24/7, which stimulates a condition of decelerating in aging. The solar cell maintained 87% of efficiency after more than 2,000 hours of testing, which is much higher than 65% from unprocessed cells.
Shaun Tan, co-first author of the thesis, commented that the aforementioned perovskite solar cell is one of the cells with the most stable efficiency as of now. Simultaneously, the team also laid down fundamental knowledge, which can be used by the community in the future in further development and refinement that will yield new designs of even more stable perovskite solar cells.
(Cover photo source: UCLA)