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