Main demolition processes identified in the next generation of wide bandgap perovskiet solar cells
A new study in materials Futures sheds light on the most important demolition paths that influence the scalable wide band gap (WBG) perovskiet solar cells, a promising material for tandem solar technologies. Researchers from IMEC, Hasselt University and Ghent University in Belgium have shown how thermal stress – either in dark or in lighting – plays a central role in the instability of devices.
Their results show that under dark circumstances the cargo transport layers first fail, while under light exposure the perovskietbsorber itself undergoes serious demolition. The team came to these conclusions by performing accelerated stress tests after the international summit at organic photovoltaic stability (ISOS) protocols, in which various degradation routes are mapped with advanced electrical characterization methods.
WBG Hybrid-Organic Lead Hallide Perovskites are attractive for integration into tandem cells because of their strong opto-electronic properties. Yet their poor stability was a barrier for commercialization at light temperatures and under light, largely due to phasegregation of bromide and jodies species. The new findings reveal that stability cannot be seen as a single characteristic, because different stress environments cause different failure mechanisms.
The researchers compared WBG-Perovskiet cells with narrower BandGap devices, which confirms that is accelerating through slightly driven thermal stress phasegregation and absorber breakdown. This reinforces the need for stabilization strategies, not only at material level, but on full devices and modules.
Future research will focus on analysis at nano scale level of demolition, broader stress tests, including outdoor implementation and the development of industrial stability standards. Such steps are crucial before WBG Perovskiet cells of the laboratory can continue to scalable, commercial applications.
Research report:In -depth study of demolition in scalable wide bandgap perovskiet cells
