In a groundbreaking development, researchers from the Institute of New Energy Technology at Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, have pioneered a new approach to enhance the efficiency and stability of semitransparent perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Led by Chaoran Chen, the team has introduced a dual interfacial design that could revolutionize the integration of solar technology into building facades and tandem photovoltaic applications.
The study, published in the journal Sustainable Materials (SusMat), addresses a critical challenge in the field: the degradation of perovskites during the sputtering process when using indium tin oxide (ITO) as the top transparent contact. The researchers have successfully replaced ITO with low-temperature, scalable solution-processed silver nanowires (AgNWs) as the top window electrodes. This innovation not only simplifies the fabrication process but also opens up new possibilities for commercial applications.
The key to this breakthrough lies in the dual interfacial design. First, the team applied an impermeable SnO2 thin film deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to prevent chemical reactions between AgNWs and the halides in perovskites. This step ensures the stability of the solar cells. Second, they used propylenediamine iodine (PDADI) to passivate the perovskite surface, enhancing thermal stability and providing a processing window for the ALD-SnO2 deposition.
“By using PDADI, we were able to effectively passivate the perovskite surface, which led to remarkably enhanced thermal stability,” explained Chen. “This allowed us to deposit the SnO2 thin film without compromising the performance of the solar cells.”
The results are impressive. The semitransparent PSCs with a bandgap of 1.71 eV achieved a champion efficiency of 17.5%, setting a new record for semitransparent PSCs with AgNWs top contacts. Building on this success, the team constructed a four-terminal perovskite/copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) tandem cell, achieving a state-of-the-art efficiency of 26.85%.
This research has significant implications for the energy sector. The ability to create efficient and stable semitransparent PSCs with scalable-coated silver nanowire contacts paves the way for integrating solar technology into building facades, transforming urban landscapes into energy-generating surfaces. Moreover, the high efficiency of the tandem cells suggests that this technology could be a game-changer in the photovoltaic industry, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in solar energy conversion.
As the world continues to seek sustainable energy solutions, innovations like these are crucial. The dual interfacial design not only enhances the performance of solar cells but also makes them more commercially viable. With further development, this technology could be scaled up for widespread use, contributing to a greener and more energy-efficient future. The findings, published in Sustainable Materials (SusMat), mark a significant step forward in the quest for efficient and stable solar energy solutions.
