Phosphorene nanoribbon-augmented perovskite solar cells show great promise

Researchers from the Imperial College of London and University College London have demonstrated the photovoltaic-boosting effect that phosphorene nanoribbons (PNRs) can bring to perovskite solar cells. When applied in tandem with a perovskite solar cell, PNR-boosted cells achieved an efficiency above 21%, which the researchers defined as "on par with traditional silicon cell output levels".

PNRs, first produced in 2019, have many theoretical use cases, including enhancing batteries, biomedical sensors, and quantum computing. The PNRs directly aided the perovskite cells' hole mobility, improving overall efficiency.

The research team said that in addition to improving perovskite cells, the experimental validation of PNRs will also help create design rules for optoelectronics, which are devices that emit or detect light. Further experimentation will continue to modify the surface of the PNR, possibly improving the unique electronic properties of the material, said the team.