Perovskite applications - Page 6

Researchers from China's Hebei University of Technology have developed a scalable method combining physical thermal field and chemical bonding to fabricate inch-sized FAPbI₃ wafers. By integrating 120 °C hot-pressing to stabilize the photoactive α phase and polyaniline polymer to conduct and passivate the grain boundaries, the team obtained quasi-single crystal FAPbI₃ wafers on a large scale. 

This approach reportedly overcomes the critical challenges of phase impurities and high-density defects, enhancing the phase stability of the FAPbI₃ wafers. 

Reports suggest that a solar power project in China, which utilizes translucent perovskite panels, has recently been connected to the grid in Gansu Province. This project was developed through a collaboration between the Electric Power Science Research Institute of the China State Grid Gansu Electric Power Company and a renewable energy subsidiary of China Datang Corp.

It was stated that the perovskite solar cells were processed to be translucent by the application of special graphical structures, including grind lines and dots, on the perovskite film. The specific structures are the result of precise control of parameters, including exposure time and depth. The graphical structures allow for the optimization of the light propagation path within the cell, thereby enhancing light absorption efficiency and improving the cell’s photoelectric conversion performance.

Interface engineering is widely used to enhance the efficiency and stability of photodetectors (PDs). Researchers from China's Guangxi University have explained that although fluorine-containing materials are ideal for interface modification, they are seldom used at the NiOx/perovskite interface. Their recent paper reports on the use of Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF) and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8- tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ)-modified NiOx HTL to achieve high-efficiency and high-stability PDs. 

This work shows that BCF and F4-TCNQ interact to provide better doping ability, form Lewis adducts with Pb²⁺, and enhance the crystallinity of their perovskites. Interaction with nickel oxide optimizes the Ni³⁺/Ni²⁺ ratio, thus improving conductivity and charge transport capability. The F4-TCNQ:BCF modification effectively reduces interface defects, improves carrier mobility, and enhances both the performance and stability of PDs in ambient air. 

The close collaboration between researchers at France's National Solar Energy Institute (INES) – a division of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) - and 3SUN has reportedly yielded a certified efficiency record for a perovskite-on-silicon tandem photovoltaic cell measuring 9 cm² after shading correction.

The team explained that most of the efficiency records published internationally relate to a surface area of 1 cm². They said that the surface is a real challenge that they are addressing in their developments. This result marks a new stage in the development of PIN-type 2-terminal tandem cells. The progress is evident, with 26.5% in March 2023, then 27.1% in June 2023, 28.4% in December 2023, 28.7% last June and now 29.8%, for devices showing a Voc greater than 1900 mV.

Reliance Industries, which owns 20% of perovskite solar developer Caelux, has updated that in addition to developing first-generation bifacial solar panels using indigenized HJT technology, it is also working on perovskites and back-contact HJT-IBC, which it expects to commercialize within the next two years.

Mukesh D Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries recently said that Reliance will commence the production of its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules by the end of this year. In the following quarters, the group will complete the first phase of its integrated solar production facilities including modules, cells, glass, wafer, ingot, and polysilicon, with an initial annual capacity of 10 GW. The giga-factory is designed for modular expansion and can be expanded to 20 GW at minimal cost and shortest time possible.

Researchers from Seoul National University, University of Pennsylvania, Weizmann Institute of Science and Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) recently reported an advancement in the development of ultra-high efficiency perovskite nanocrystal light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Their work involved reinforcing the perovskite lattice and mitigating the material's natural low-frequency dynamics. 

The team identified a critical challenge in the reduction of luminescence efficiency due to the ionic nature of perovskite. The weak ionic bonds in perovskite materials can cause large-amplitude displacement of atoms within the crystal lattice, resulting in dynamic disorder that interferes with the radiative recombination process, leading to exciton dissociation and decreased luminescence efficiency. Addressing this issue, however, has been underexplored until now. The team proposed a novel mechanism to enhance the luminescence efficiency of perovskite emitters by incorporating conjugated molecular multipods (CMMs). These CMMs bind to the perovskite lattice, strengthening it and reducing dynamic disorder, which in turn improves the luminescence efficiency.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology and Shanghai Lettee Perovskite Optoelectronic Technology have addressed the issue of residual tensile strain - which impedes the improvement of efficiency and intrinsic stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) (resulting from the perovskite lattice distortion and different thermal expansion coefficients). To this end, they proposed a molecule-triggered strain regulation and interfacial passivation strategy to enhance the efficiency and stability (especially photostability) of PSCs.

Their strategy utilizes the [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 6-bromocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (BAEE), consuming the incident UV light to suppress the tensile strain evolution. 

Researchers from China's Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan University of Technology and Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute have reported a surface reconstruction strategy utilizing a surface polishing agent, 1,4-butanediamine, together with a surface passivator, ethylenediammonium diiodide, to eliminate Sn-related defects and passivate organic cation and halide vacancy defects on the surface of Sn–Pb mixed perovskite films. 

The team explained that while all-perovskite tandem solar cells have shown great promise in breaking the Shockley–Queisser limit of single-junction solar cell, their efficiency is often hindered by the surface defects induced non-radiative recombination loss in Sn–Pb mixed narrow bandgap perovskite films. The strategy detailed in their recent work not only delivers high-quality Sn–Pb mixed perovskite films with a close-to-ideal stoichiometric ratio surface, but also minimizes the non-radiative energy loss at the perovskite/electron transport layer interface.

An international team of researchers, including ones from the University of Sydney, IEK-5 Photovoltaics at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Southern University of Science and Technology, UNSW and the University of Ljubljana, recently reported the use of a piperidinium bromide (PpBr) as an interlayer between C60 and perovskite. The interlayer was further optimized by introducing an additional oxygen atom on the opposite side of the NH²⁺. 

The tandem structure that the team used for demonstrations. Image credit: Advanced Energy Materials

This reportedly resulted in morpholinium bromide (MLBr) with increased dipole moment. Because of this, MLBr was highly effective in minimizing the energy band mismatch between perovskite and C60 layer for electron extraction while at the same time passivating defects. 

Flexell Space, an in-house venture of Hanwha Systems, has announced that it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Airbus Defence and Space GmbH (Airbus) to develop next-generation space solar cell modules using perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cell technology. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the efficiency and weight of space solar cells, marking a significant milestone in the aerospace industry.

Through this agreement, Flexell Space and Airbus plan to design and develop space solar cell modules that are more than half the weight of existing models while maintaining performance and efficiency. By applying Flexell Space's tandem solar cell technology, the new solar cells will aim to offer low cost, high efficiency, rapid production, and flexibility.