Highly stable perovskite solar cells achieved using fluorine-functionalized graphene

A recent study, affiliated with UNIST and the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER),has shown a highly stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs), using edged-selectively fluorine (F) functionalized graphene nano-platelets (EFGnPs). This breakthrough is interesting since it is made out of fluorine, a low-cost alternative to gold.

To tackle the issue of perovskite materials' sensitivity to moisture and make progress toward the commercialization of PSCs, the team introduced a highly stable p-i-n structure for PSCs using fluorine functionalized EFGnPs to fully cover the perovskite active layer and protect against the ingress of water for high-stability PSCs.

"Fluorocarbons, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) are well-known for their superhydrophobic properties and comprise carbon fluorine (C-F) bonding," says Professor Gwi-Hwan Kim at UNIST. "By substituting carbon for fluorine, we have created a two-dimensional material with high hydrophobicity, like Teflon. Then, applied it to PSCs. "

The newly-developed perovskite solar cell device was fabricated using solution processes, a process that involves the coating perovskite materials on a flexible film. Using this process allows the future application of solar cells to wearable devices. This process is also less costly.