Key Findings
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) in Germany have achieved a breakthrough in perovskite triple-junction solar cells by incorporating a novel bilayer structure composed of graphene oxide (GO) and a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) as the hole transport layer. This innovative design has led to a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 27.3% and established a new stability record, with the devices exhibiting negligible degradation after more than 770 hours of continuous operation.
Technical Details
Triple-junction solar cells aim to surpass the theoretical efficiency limits of single-junction devices by stacking three absorption layers with different bandgaps, thereby capturing a broader range of the solar spectrum. The core of this breakthrough lies in the design of the novel hole transport layer (HTL) comprising GO and SAM. Graphene oxide (GO) offers excellent conductivity and transparency, while SAM effectively passivates interfacial defects and allows for precise energy level alignment. By employing this GO/SAM bilayer as the HTL, holes were efficiently extracted from the perovskite layer, and non-radiative recombination at the interface was dramatically suppressed. This resulted in improved open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF), ultimately leading to the high efficiency of 27.3%. Additionally, this HTL contributed to the chemical and physical stability of the devices, demonstrating exceptional long-term stability with only a marginal efficiency drop over 770 hours of continuous light exposure testing.
Background & Context
While perovskite solar cells have achieved high conversion efficiencies, maintaining both stability and efficiency, particularly in multi-junction configurations, remains a significant challenge. High-performing charge transport layers are indispensable for efficient carrier extraction and passivation of interfacial defects, profoundly influencing overall device performance. HZB’s research, building on its previous record of 25.5% efficiency for CIGS-perovskite tandem cells, solidifies its global leadership in multi-junction perovskite technology. The introduction of the GO/SAM bilayer stands out as a crucial new interfacial engineering strategy for complex multi-junction structures.
Strategic Significance & Outlook
The combination of 27.3% high efficiency and superior stability exceeding 770 hours represents a substantial step towards the commercialization of perovskite triple-junction solar cells. This technology is expected to accelerate adoption across diverse application sectors, including building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), flexible electronics, and high-efficiency solar power plants. Notably, improved long-term stability is critical for extending device lifespan and reducing maintenance costs. Future research will focus on validating the scalability of this GO/SAM bilayer technology for mass production, further evaluating its environmental robustness, and addressing challenges such as transitioning to lead-free formulations.
Source: https://www.miragenews.com/gosam-boosts-perovskite-solar-cell-efficiency-1707734/
Get our weekly technology intelligence — free
Receive an infographic that lets you judge at a glance whether each field’s analysis report is worth reading.
Subscribe Free — Weekly Tech Intelligence
By subscribing, you’ll receive Troy-Technical’s weekly technology intelligence newsletter.
- Your email and selected fields are used only to deliver the newsletter.
- We never share your information with third parties.
- You can unsubscribe anytime via the link in each email.
See our Privacy Policy for details.
Takes about a minute · Unsubscribe anytime
Comments