New Molecule Boosts Efficiency and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells

A recent Science study shows that the synthetic molecule CPMAC, developed through an international collaboration with KAUST, significantly boosts the energy efficiency and lifespan of perovskite solar cells.

CPMAC is an ionic salt derived from buckminsterfullerene (C60), a carbon-based material with 60 atoms. While C60 has helped achieve record energy efficiencies in perovskite solar cells, it also limits performance and long-term stability.. To address these issues, scientists explored alternative materials, leading to the creation of CPMAC.

For over a decade, C60 has played a key role in the development of perovskite solar cells. However, weak interactions at the perovskite/C60 interface result in mechanical degradation, which compromises the long-term stability of the cells. “To address this, we created CPMAC, a C60-derived ionic salt, to greatly enhance the stability of perovskite solar cells,” said Professor Osman Bakr, Executive Faculty at KAUST CREST, who led the research.

Enhanced Electronic Properties of Solar Cells with CPMAC

The chemistry of CPMAC enhanced the electronic properties of the solar cells. Solar cells incorporating CPMAC exhibited a power conversion efficiency— a key measure of solar cell energy efficiency— that was 0.6% higher than those made with C60.

To put this into perspective, if a typical power plant generates 1 gigawatt of power, a less than 1% increase could still provide electricity to 5,000 additional homes.

“As we consider the scale of a typical power plant, even a small increase in efficiency, such as a fraction of a percentage point, can lead to a significant amount of additional electricity generated,” said Hongwei Zhu, a research scientist at KAUST and a contributor to the study.

Moreover, CPMAC-based solar cells showed a reduction in power conversion efficiency that was only one-third of that seen in C60 solar cells when exposed to high temperatures and varying humidity for over 2,000 hours, a standard test for solar cell stability.

Increased Performance Differences in Solar Cell Modules

The distinction between the two types became more noticeable when assembled into modules of four solar cells— a simplified version of a solar panel, which typically contains 50 to 100 cells.

“CPMAC reduces defects in the electron transfer layer of the solar cell by forming stronger ionic bonds with the perovskite, unlike C60, which forms weaker van der Waals bonds.”

Read the original article on: Scitech Daily

Read more: Quantum Dot Solar Cells Break Efficiency Record Target Silicon Technology Surpass