Breakthrough 2D Layer Boosts Perovskite Solar Cell Stability

• MIT and global researchers boost solar tech with a novel 2D interlayer, achieving 25.9% efficiency and enhanced stability in perovskite solar cells.

Researchers from MIT, SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology, NREL, Marmara University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Sungkyunkwan University have developed a novel 2D interlayer to enhance the stability and efficiency of 2D/3D perovskite bilayer heterostructures. By optimizing thin film deposition using a mixed solvent approach, they achieved phase purity and high crystallinity, crucial for improving power conversion efficiency and device stability. The 2D interlayer, composed of hybrid organic–inorganic halide perovskites, protects the 3D perovskite by reducing defects and controlling electron and ion movement.

The team used a custom-built spin-coating chamber and advanced x-ray scattering techniques to evaluate the crystalline structures and phase purity of the thin films. They discovered that the OcMA:S solvent composition resulted in the highest crystallinity and durability, achieving 25.9% efficiency, comparable to top silicon solar cells. In accelerated tests, the OcMA:S perovskite retained 91% of its initial performance after 1,074 hours at 85°C, marking a significant advancement in addressing stability barriers for commercialization and offering design principles for robust optoelectronic applications.

How does the novel 2D interlayer improve perovskite solar cell efficiency and stability?

• Enhances phase purity and crystallinity, crucial for high power conversion efficiency.
• Reduces defects in the 3D perovskite layer, improving overall device performance.
• Controls electron and ion movement, leading to better charge transport and reduced recombination losses.
• Provides a protective barrier, enhancing thermal and environmental stability.
• Achieves high efficiency of 25.9%, comparable to leading silicon solar cells.
• Retains 91% of initial performance after prolonged exposure to high temperatures, demonstrating improved durability.
• Offers design principles for developing robust optoelectronic devices with enhanced longevity.