HZB Achieves 27.3% Efficiency, Record 770-Hour 90% Stability in All-Perovskite Triple-Junction Solar Cell Using Graphene Oxide/SAM Interface

September 13, 2026

physicsworld.com Germany

Overview

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) have developed an all-perovskite triple-junction solar cell with a power conversion efficiency of 27.3%. Published in “Joule,” this device integrates a chemically robust graphene oxide/self-assembled monolayer (SAM) interface, enabling it to retain 90% of its initial performance after 770 hours of continuous 1-sun illumination. This establishes a new stability record for all-perovskite configurations, marking a significant milestone towards commercial viability.

In Depth

Key Findings: HZB Pioneers All-Perovskite Triple-Junction Solar Cell with Record 27.3% Efficiency and Unprecedented 770-Hour Stability

Researchers at Germany’s Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) have unveiled a groundbreaking all-perovskite triple-junction solar cell that achieves a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 27.3%. Detailed in the journal “Joule,” this device sets a new benchmark not just for efficiency, but also for stability in all-perovskite architectures: it maintained 90% of its initial performance after 770 hours of continuous operational tracking under 1-sun illumination. This breakthrough is a pivotal moment for perovskite photovoltaics, demonstrating their potential for long-term reliability and clearing a major hurdle towards widespread commercial adoption.

Technical Details and Stability Enhancement

The triple-junction design incorporates three distinct perovskite layers, each tuned to absorb different segments of the solar spectrum, thereby maximizing photon utilization beyond what single-junction cells can achieve. The critical innovation enabling both high efficiency and record stability is the integration of a chemically benign and robust graphene oxide/self-assembled monolayer (SAM) interface. This interface plays a dual role: it optimizes charge carrier transport, minimizing recombination losses, and simultaneously acts as a protective barrier against environmental degradation factors, particularly moisture and oxygen, which are notorious for destabilizing perovskite materials. The inclusion of graphene oxide imparts superior electrical properties and chemical resilience, facilitating efficient charge extraction and suppressing non-radiative recombination pathways. This engineering significantly extends the operational lifetime of the device, addressing a primary weakness of earlier perovskite solar cells.

Achieving 90% retention of initial performance after 770 hours of continuous operation under realistic conditions represents a substantial leap forward compared to previous all-perovskite devices. This performance brings the technology closer to the operational durations required for practical outdoor applications.

Background and Industry Context

Perovskite solar cells are seen as a transformative technology for the future of photovoltaics due to their high efficiency potential and low manufacturing costs. However, particularly for multi-junction structures aimed at super-high efficiencies, ensuring both interfacial compatibility and long-term stability has been a significant challenge. All-perovskite multi-junction devices offer advantages over silicon-based tandems, such as simplified manufacturing processes and easier integration onto flexible substrates. HZB’s achievement demonstrates that the all-perovskite approach can indeed be competitive in both efficiency and stability, promoting diversification and advancement in solar energy technology.

Strategic Significance and Outlook

The development of this all-perovskite triple-junction solar cell accelerates the path towards commercializing high-performance and durable next-generation solar devices. Innovative material engineering approaches, such as the graphene oxide/SAM interface, will likely inform future research and development in perovskite photovoltaics. With stability challenges being steadily overcome, investor confidence in perovskite technology is expected to grow, potentially attracting larger-scale investments. In the long term, these highly efficient and stable perovskite devices are poised to drive adoption across a wide range of applications, including building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), portable electronics, and even niche markets requiring specific flexibility or transparency, thereby significantly contributing to global energy supply and sustainability goals.

Source: https://physicsworld.com/a/bilayer-approach-ramps-performance-of-all-perovskite-triple-junction-solar-cells/

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