Revolutionary 2D Fullerene Metal Halide Boosts Solar Efficiency
- Revolutionize solar energy with a groundbreaking Fullerene-based Metal Halide Semiconductor, boosting efficiency and stability for perovskite solar cells.
Researchers from Wuhan University, University of South Florida, CNRS, and Nanoneurosciences have developed a crystalline 2D Fullerene-based Metal Halide Semiconductor, (C60-2NH3)Pb2I6, for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells. Single crystal XRD studies revealed the structure of the new material, while DFT calculations showed the strong contribution of C60-2NH3 to the electronic density of states of the conduction band. Using C60-2NH3 as an interlayer in perovskite solar cells improved band energy alignment, reduced nonradiative recombination, and enhanced carrier mobility.
The (C60-2NH3)Pb2I6 semiconductor was found to promote charge transport and reduce the number of traps in the perovskite solar cells, resulting in a champion efficiency of 21.64%. The material maintained 90% of its initial efficiency even after being stored under a N2 atmosphere for 2400 hours. This research paves the way for a new family of functional materials, Fullerene Metal Halide Semiconductors, with potential applications in photovoltaics, catalysis, transistors, and supercapacitors.
What are the benefits of using (C60-2NH3)Pb2I6 in perovskite solar cells?
- Improved band energy alignment in perovskite solar cells
- Reduced nonradiative recombination
- Enhanced carrier mobility
- Promotes charge transport
- Reduces number of traps in solar cells
- Champion efficiency of 21.64%
- Maintains 90% of initial efficiency after 2400 hours under N2 atmosphere
- Potential applications in photovoltaics, catalysis, transistors, and supercapacitors
