Perovskite solar cells are considered a key technology for the future of photovoltaics due to their high efficiency, low cost, and lightweight design.
Source: CCTV
Perovskite solar cells are considered a key technology for the future of photovoltaics due to their high efficiency, low cost, and lightweight design. However, their poor stability has been a major hurdle, limiting long-term use. Now, researchers from East China University of Science and Technology have discovered a breakthrough method to significantly extend the lifespan of these cells. Their findings were published in the prestigious journal Science on March 7.
The study revealed that perovskite materials expand and contract repeatedly under sunlight, much like a balloon inflating and deflating. Over time, this internal stress causes microscopic fractures, leading to material failure. When exposed to light, the material expands by more than 1%, generating internal pressure that damages the crystal structure—similar to how repeatedly folding a piece of paper eventually makes it tear.
To solve this issue, the researchers developed an ultra-thin protective layer—just one ten-thousandth the thickness of a human hair—made from graphene, one of the world’s strongest materials, combined with a specialized transparent polymer. Tests showed that this coating doubled the material’s resistance to mechanical stress, reducing expansion from 0.31% to 0.08%. Essentially, it acts like shockproof packaging for a fragile material.
Under rigorous testing, perovskite solar cells with this protective layer set a new durability record: after 3,670 hours (approximately 153 days) of continuous operation under simulated high-intensity sunlight and elevated temperatures, they retained 97% of their efficiency. This marks the longest stable performance ever recorded for perovskite solar cells, moving them closer to real-world applications. Experts say the breakthrough redefines the approach to improving stability, and the technology is already undergoing industrial trials in collaboration with corporate partners.
Reproduced article do not represent the position of New Energy Era.