Perovskite solar cell efficiency improved by new molecular passivation strategies

Researchers are developing new passivation strategies to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells, a promising next-generation photovoltaic technology.

In Japan, a team from Sophia University and the National Institute for Materials Science has utilized a heteroatom molecule called 2-aminobenzothiazole (2-ABZ) to improve tin-based perovskite cells. This additive acts as a multifunctional stabilizer that regulates crystallization, reduces trap formation, prevents ion migration, and inhibits tin oxidation. By suppressing the oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+, the researchers have addressed a major degradation pathway, moving the technology closer to commercial viability.

Separately, a collaborative research team involving the Korea Institute of Energy Research, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, and Kunsan National University has developed a dual-molecule passivation technology for inverted perovskite solar cells. This method uses two different organic molecules to address defects at different levels: the smaller PDAI molecule fills microscopic voids at grain boundaries, while 4TF molecules bond with undercoordinated lead atoms on the surface. This dual approach aims to simultaneously improve both the efficiency and the longevity of the cells.