Technical / research - Page 8

Researchers from China's National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Beihang University have demonstrated a series of ultrastable Dion−Jacobson (DJ) perovskites for photovoltaic applications. They went on to develop a 2D Dion-Jacobson (DJ) perovskite solar cell that showed high stability while achieving a power conversion efficiency of 19.11%.

Schematic illustration of the blade-coating film and the corresponding device configuration under atmospheric environment at room temperature. Image credit: Nature Communications 

Two-dimensional (2D) Dion-Jacobson (DJ) phase perovskites have drawn attention from academia due to their stability against harsh environmental conditions and their competitive performance in optoelectronic applications. Solar cells based on DJ perovskites, however, have so far shown comparatively poor performance compared to their 3D counterparts.

Researchers from China's Huaqiao University and Qufu Normal University recently introduced new materials that promise to enhance the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Their study details the development of three novel hole transport materials that may improve solar cell performance.

Image credit: Energy Materials and Devices

The team said that the high price of charge transport materials for perovskite solar cells poses a barrier to widespread adoption. Traditional materials like Spiro-OMeTAD are expensive and complex to produce, making it essential to find more affordable alternatives to advance PSC technology and expand its use.

Researchers from China's Hunan University of Technology and Business, University of Macau and East China Normal University have developed a single-mode double-pulsed nanolaser utilizing self-assembled perovskite multiple quantum wells (MQWs).

The recent study presents a novel approach to achieving pulse-doubling in perovskite nanowire lasers. This research aims to enhance the understanding of laser dynamics and energy relaxation mechanisms in these advanced materials.

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to synthesize Spiro-MeOTAD, a crucial material for charge transport, without using noble metals. This development led to the creation of a solar cell with 24.2% efficiency, although it demonstrated rapid degradation.

The research team reported that the new method can produce a Spiro-MeOTAD material that remains stable even after 1,400 hours of testing at elevated temperatures (85°C) under continuous one-sun illumination. This durability is critical for materials exposed to the high temperatures and humidity typical of solar panel environments.

The interface between the perovskite layer and electron transporting layer has critical effect on the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The heterogeneity of the interface critically affects the carrier dynamics at the buried interface. 

To address this, researchers from Tsinghua University, Xiamen University, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and National Center for Nanoscience and Technology have developed a bridging molecule, (2-aminoethyl)phosphonic acid (AEP), for the modification of SnO₂/perovskite buried interface in n–i–p structure PSCs.

Researchers from China's Yunnan University, University of Science and Technology of China and Southwest United Graduate School have synthesized a new dimethyl acridine-based self-assembled monolayer (SAM), [2-(9,10-dihydro-9,9-dimethylacridine-10-yl)ethyl] phosphonic acid (2PADmA), for use as a hole transport layer in inverted PSCs.

Image credit: Energy Materials and Devices

This novel dimethyl acridine-based SAM, 2PADmA,  when used as a hole-transporting layer in inverted PSCs,  can modulate perovskite crystallization, enhance carrier transport, passivate defects, and reduce nonradiative recombination. The resulting 2PADmA-based devices reportedly achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.01%, significantly higher than the 22.32% PCE of devices using the commonly employed 2PACz SAM. 

Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Ming Chi University of Technology, Belarusian State University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have synthesized novel materials to enhance the performance of wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells (PSCs). 

Graphical abstract. Credit: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2024)

These can improve solar elements for indoor use, which can also be integrated into various electronic devices, and are able to generate electricity even in low-light conditions.

The majority of monolithic perovskite/Si tandem solar cells (TSCs) have been built on heterojunction (HJT) Si solar cells, which have seen limited industrial uptake due to manufacturing cost and concern over the viability of metal electrodes and transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) incorporating expensive elements. Recently, researchers from The Australian National University, University of Melbourne and University of New South Wales demonstrated that high efficiencies of perovskite/Si TSCs can be achieved with Si bottom cells based on a double-side poly-Si/Si dioxide (SiO₂) passivating contact (poly-Si cell) without silver or transparent conductive oxides (TCOs), fabricated using mass-production techniques. 

In addition, a novel low-absorption, dopant-free bilayer-structured hole transport layer (HTL) composed of ultra-thin poly(N,N′-bis-4-butylphenyl-N,N′-bisphenyl)benzidine (Poly-TPD) and 2,2′,7,7′-tetra(N,N-di-p-tolyl)amino-9,9-spirobifluorene (Spiro-TTB) double layers was developed for the perovskite top cell, which passivates the perovskite surface and enhances the near-interface conductivity, thus increasing the open-circuit voltage and fill factor. 

Researchers at NREL have examined how metal halide perovskite photovoltaics (MHP-PV) could scale a sustainable supply chain while appreciably contributing to a global renewable energy transition. They evaluated the critical material concerns, embodied energy, carbon impacts and circular supply chain processes of MHP-PVs. 

Perovskite-based solar panels may play an important role amid global decarbonization efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the technology emerges from the testing stages, scientists are assessing how best to design the solar panels to minimize their impact on the environment decades from now.

Researchers from the U.S and Ghana recently examined the fracture behavior of Perovskite Light Emitting Devices (PLEDs), emphasizing the importance of interfacial toughness in device performance. This can influence future materials and interface engineering strategies in optoelectronic devices.

Understanding the interfacial fracture toughness of PLEDs can guide the design of more robust devices by improving the adhesion between layers and reducing defect propagation. This can lead to enhanced performance and durability of PLEDs.