Warmtecycli are the durability of perovskiet cells
Perovskiet solar cells combine high efficiency with low production costs, but are confronted with challenges in retaining performance for decades of outside exposure. In an extensive overview published in Nature Reviews Materials, an international team under the leadership of Prof Antonio Abate investigated how repeated temperature cycles change cell microstructures and the interactions between layers. Their work indicates that thermal stress is a primary engine for demolition of material.
Metalhalide perovskites can achieve efficiency up to 27%, while they require minimal material and energy during the manufacture, a factor that could considerably reduce the costs of solar energy. Nevertheless, the ambition to obtain a stable energy yield for 20 to 30 years remains unimpaired for 20 to 30 years, which underlines the need for more robust materials.
The cooperation study brought together experts from China, Italy, Spain, the VK, Switzerland and Germany. In collaboration with Prof Meng Li from Henan University, the research documented many years of research that shows that drastic temperature fluctuations critically undermine the performance of metalhalhalic perovskiet solar cells.
In real-world conditions, solar modules are confronted with daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations. As Abate states, “when they are used outside, solar modules are exposed to the weather and the seasons”, indicating that even with effective moisture protection the cells in some regions pass significant thermal variations from minus 40 degrees Celsius to plus 100 degrees Celsius.
To simulate even stricter conditions, the study subject the cells to extreme temperature cycles of minus 150 degrees Celsius to plus 150 degrees Celsius repeatedly. Dr. Guixiang Li investigated how these cycles changed the microstructure of the perovskiet layer and disturbed the interactions with adjacent layers.
These severe temperature fluctuations cause stress in the perovskiet film and on the interfaces between uneven materials. As Abate explains: “In a perovskite -sun cell, there must be very different materials in perfect contact; unfortunately these materials often have a completely different thermal behavior,” which leads to poorer intermediate blades, local phase transitions and the diffusion of elements.
Based on these insights, the researchers propose measures to improve long -term stability. Such as Abate states, “Thermal stress is the key” and argues for improving the crystalline quality of the perovskiet structures and the use of suitable buffer layers to reduce the thermal trunk. The team also calls for standardized test protocols to enable effective comparisons of sustainability results.
Research report:Resilience routes for Halide Perovskiet Photovoltaïschen under Temperature Cycling
