Researchers from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University and France's University of Lille (CNRS) have developed a biomass-derived furan-based conjugated polymer, PBDF-DFC, enabling a simplified direct precursor integration fabrication method for hybrid perovskite solar cells (HPSCs).
Unlike traditional thiophene-based polymers, PBDF-DFC reportedly exhibits high solubility in perovskite precursor solvents, allowing direct incorporation into the precursor solution. This direct precursor integration approach could significantly streamline the fabrication process, reducing steps and potentially lowering production costs.
The PBDF-DFC-modified HPSCs achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.39%, a 7.8% improvement over the 19.84% PCE of control devices.
Moreover, these devices demonstrated enhanced stability under various environmental stresses, retaining 90% of their initial efficiency after over 1100 h of storage compared to 52% for control devices.
X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that PBDF-DFC accumulates at grain boundaries, improving film crystallization and reducing defects.
This dual innovation of a new polymer and simplified fabrication process presents a promising pathway for more efficient, stable, and potentially more sustainable HPSCs. The successful integration of PBDF-DFC and the direct precursor integration method opens new avenues for streamlined production of high-performance perovskite solar cells, addressing key challenges in scalability and environmental impact.
