Korean-Chinese Team Achieves 27.6% Certified Efficiency in Single-Junction Perovskite Solar Cell with Molecular Design Strategy

Daum (DBR) South Korea

Overview

A joint Korean-Chinese research team, led by Professor Nam-Gyu Park of Sungkyunkwan University, has achieved a world-leading 27.6% certified power conversion efficiency for a single-junction perovskite solar cell. This breakthrough utilizes a molecular design strategy to stabilize both the internal crystal and surface, rather than relying on external passivation. Incorporating a “3-PMPCl” additive and bismuth (Bi) electrodes, the cell maintained over 93% of its initial efficiency after 1011 hours under high temperature and solar illumination. Published in ‘Science,’ this advances next-generation solar cell performance.

In Depth

Background

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are advancing rapidly worldwide as a leading candidate for next-generation photovoltaics, primarily due to their high power conversion efficiency and cost-effective manufacturing potential. However, further improvements in efficiency and, critically, ensuring long-term stability under real-world operating conditions have remained pressing challenges for commercialization. Previous approaches to enhance stability largely depended on external protective layers or encapsulation technologies, but a fundamental solution to stabilize the internal structure of the crystal material itself was sought.

Key Findings / Results

A joint Korean-Chinese research team, led by Professor Nam-Gyu Park of Sungkyunkwan University (in collaboration with Huazhong University of Science and Technology, among others), has achieved a world-class certified power conversion efficiency of 27.6% for a single-junction perovskite solar cell. This groundbreaking achievement is based on an innovative strategy that stabilizes both the internal crystal and the surface of the perovskite at a molecular design level, rather than solely relying on external passivation. The research team introduced a special additive called “3-PMPCl” into both the interior and surface of the perovskite crystal, enhancing the intrinsic stability of the crystal structure. This additive optimizes crystal growth and significantly reduces defect density. Furthermore, by applying bismuth (Bi) electrodes instead of conventional silver (Ag) or gold (Au) electrodes, although the efficiency slightly decreased to 26.8%, the cells demonstrated exceptionally high operational stability, retaining over 93% of their initial efficiency after 1011 hours under solar-level continuous illumination and high-temperature environments. This research was published in the international academic journal “Science,” acknowledging its significant technical value.

Technical Significance & Outlook

The achievement of 27.6% high efficiency and excellent stability by this joint Korean-Chinese research team holds critical implications for resolving major challenges in perovskite solar cell commercialization. The molecular-level stabilization strategy fundamentally improves device long-term reliability and significantly contributes to extending lifetimes in practical operating conditions. Notably, the potential use of low-cost and abundant bismuth as an electrode material also contributes to manufacturing cost reduction, enhancing economic viability for large-scale production. By maintaining high efficiency while dramatically improving durability, this technology will enable PSCs to compete more effectively with conventional silicon solar cells and accelerate their widespread adoption across various applications. Further research and development are expected to continue, focusing on scaling up to large-area modules and meeting even stricter international certification standards. This achievement underscores the importance of international collaboration in cutting-edge technological development and further elevates the presence of the Asian region in the next-generation solar cell market.