Perovskite Solar - Page 27

Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Princeton University, Marmara University, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Nano-C have designed a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with a top inverted perovskite cell relying on an electron transport layer (ETL) made of thermally evaporated buckminsterfullerene (C60).

In the “p-i-n” device structure, hole-selective contact p is at the bottom of intrinsic perovskite layer i with electron transport layer n at the top. Conventional halide perovskite cells have the same structure but reversed – a “n-i-p” layout. In n-i-p architecture, the solar cell is illuminated through the electron-transport layer (ETL) side; in the p-i-n structure, it is illuminated through the hole‐transport layer (HTL) surface.

Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) and Korea University have reported efficient, stable tin–lead halide perovskites (TLHP)-based PV and photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices containing a chemically protective cathode interlayer—amine-functionalized perylene diimide (PDINN). Their work may advance the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and have potential in green hydrogen production technology, ensuring long-term operation with high efficiency. 

The presence of inherent ionic vacancies in tin-lead halide perovskites (TLHPs) has posed challenges, leading to accelerated device degradation through inward metal diffusion. To address this challenge, the research team developed the chemically protective cathode interlayer using amine-functionalized perylene diimide (PDINN). By leveraging its nucleophilic sites to form tridentate metal complexes, PDINN effectively extracts electrons and suppresses inward metal diffusion.

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and Purdue University recently reported an effort to prevent perovskite solar cell degradation by tracking the movement of ions in perovskites. 

The team used X-rays at the Advanced Photon Source and a custom-built characterization platform to reveal the way ions move within different perovskite crystals under ultraviolet radiation (UV). Scientists are interested in testing material stability under UV because it can significantly degrade solar cell performance, sometimes by more than 50%, after extended exposure.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Avantama have developed a new interface using antimony doped tin oxides (ATOx), that creates a chemically stable interface between the cell layers that's more uniform, conducts electricity better, and is more transparent. This enabled reduced energy loss and improved cell efficiency - 25.7% (certified steady-state efficiency of 24.8%) for an area of 0.05 cm², retained under maximum power point tracking over 500 h and 24.6% (certified steady-state efficiency of 24.0%) for an area of 1 cm².

The team reported p-type antimony-doped tin oxides (ATOx) combined with a self-assembled monolayer molecule as an interlayer between the perovskite and hole-transporting layers (HTL) in inverted solar cells. The scientists said that ATOx increases the chemical stability of the interface; they showed that the redox reaction that commonly took place at the NiOx/perovskite interface is negligible at the ATOx/perovskite interface. 

A consortium entitled "Scalable High-power Output and Low-Cost MAde-to-measure Tandem Solar Modules Enabling Specialized PV Applications" (SOLMATES) was selected for a Horizon Europe project. 

The consortium consists of 3 RTOs including the HZB (Helmholtz Center in Berlin for Materials and Energy), Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) and TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), 5 universities including the Universität Innsbruck (project coordinator) and 6 SMEs. The SOLMATES initiative launched in December 2023 held an initial "kick-off" strategic research meeting on January 17-18, 2024, in Innsbruck, Austria.

Tin-based perovskite solar cells have attracted great research interest due to their excellent photovoltaic performance and environmentally friendly characteristics. However, TPSCs with ideal band gaps suffer from current losses, so new interface engineering strategies need to be developed to improve device performance. Researchers from Soochow University and Marmara University have reported high-performance tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs) by constructing charge bridge paths. 

The authors propose a method to construct charge transfer pathways through a simple post-growth treatment of 3-aminomethylbenzo[b]thiophene (3-AMBTh) on a perovskite film. The selective reaction of 3-AMBTh with exposed FA⁺ on the perovskite surface suppresses the formation of iodine vacancy defects, resulting in a reduction in trap density.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have used silver (Ag) particles to form a SnO₂:Ag nanoparticle composite transport layer, to improve the efficiency of perovskite solar cells.

SnO₂ is known as one of the most efficient transport layers for perovskite solar cells. Adding the Ag nanoparticles increased the recombination rate (detrimental for device performance), and the charge carrier transfer and extraction was also enhanced (beneficial for device performance). In order to balance these opposing factors, the nanoparticle concentration was optimized at an intermediate concentration with a corresponding power conversion efficiency increase from 13.4 ± 0.7 % for reference solar cells without nanoparticles to 14.3 ± 0.3 % for those with nanoparticles. 

Researchers at the University of Oxford, University of Toronto, Peking University, Kunming Medical University, Yunnan University, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Academia Sinica have reported a chemically stable and multifunctional buffer layer material, ytterbium oxide (YbOx), for p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by scalable thermal evaporation deposition. 

This YbOx buffer has been used in p-i-n PSCs based on narrow-bandgap perovskite light-absorbing layers, with certified power conversion efficiencies exceeding 25%.

Canada-based Solaires Entreprises, developer of sustainable and scalable perovskite-based photovoltaic modules, has announced the launch of its first
production line. 

Solaires deployed its fully functional pilot production line where it will be producing PV modules for customers. The pilot production line is located in Langford, BC, Canada.

TandemPV has raised $6 million, bringing its total to $27 million in venture capital and government support. The Company will use the funds to advance research and development and plans to build its first manufacturing facility.

The funding round was led by existing investor Planetary Technologies, an early-stage venture capital firm with deep expertise in climate tech. Other institutional investors participated, including new investor Uncorrelated Ventures, as well as executives from a variety of corporate sectors and such solar industry leaders as Tom Werner, former chairman, president and CEO of SunPower Corp.