Lead-Free Tin Perovskite Solar Cells Achieve 15% Efficiency

Mar 28, 2025 04:23 PM ET
  • Eco-friendly breakthrough: Lead-free, tin-based perovskite solar cells achieve 15% efficiency, paving the way for sustainable, high-performance photovoltaics.
Lead-Free Tin Perovskite Solar Cells Achieve 15% Efficiency

Researchers from several universities have developed a new strategy for creating lead-free, tin-based perovskite solar cells with over 15% efficiency. By substituting formamidinium with dimethylammonium in the perovskite lattice, they achieved a wider bandgap without additional bromine, enhancing crystallinity and film morphology. This approach improves charge extraction and band alignment with the hole transport layer.

The team fabricated semi-transparent TPSCs with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.37% and high near-infrared transmittance, suitable for tandem applications. By stacking these with narrow-bandgap TPSCs, they created the first four-terminal, lead-free perovskite tandem device, achieving a combined PCE of 15.02%. This advancement offers a promising path for eco-friendly, high-efficiency photovoltaics.

How did researchers achieve 15% efficiency in lead-free, tin-based perovskite solar cells?

  • Utilized a novel chemical substitution strategy to replace lead with tin, addressing toxicity concerns while maintaining efficiency.
  • Optimized the perovskite lattice structure by incorporating dimethylammonium, which improved the material's stability and electronic properties.
  • Achieved a wider bandgap without the need for additional bromine, which typically complicates the synthesis process and can affect stability.
  • Enhanced crystallinity and film morphology, leading to better light absorption and charge carrier mobility.
  • Improved charge extraction and band alignment with the hole transport layer, facilitating more efficient energy conversion.
  • Developed semi-transparent tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs) with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.37%, suitable for integration into tandem solar cell configurations.
  • Created the first four-terminal, lead-free perovskite tandem device by stacking these TPSCs with narrow-bandgap counterparts, achieving a combined PCE of 15.02%.
  • Demonstrated high near-infrared transmittance, making these cells suitable for applications requiring transparency, such as building-integrated photovoltaics.
  • Provided a scalable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lead-based perovskite solar cells, paving the way for sustainable solar energy solutions.