Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been rigorously researched and pursued as a potential low-cost, next-generation thin-film photovoltaic technology. PSCs have now achieved certified power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 26%, which paves the way to commercial upscale manufacturing. However, the commercialization of PSCs has been hindered due to perovskite instabilities associated with the sensitivity to fabrication ambientes, and the fast ion mitigation during solar cells operation conditions. One approach that has successfully been implemented to improve the stability of PSCs is replacing the costly noble metal electrodes (i.e. Au or Ag) with carbon-based electrodes. In addition, most of the highly efficient perovskite solar cells are processed in the dry noble gas ambient, e.g., dry N2 with high purity, which prevents the cost reduction and large area manufacturing of perovskite solar modules. Therefore, the manufacturing of PSCs in normal air conditions becomes promising to ensure the scalability of the technology.

 

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a fabrication method enabling high-efficiency, air-processed carbon-based perovskite solar cells with improved stability. This invention introduces an innovative antisolvent-mediated air quench technique that combines antisolvent vapor with gentle air quenching to fabricate carbon-electrode based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) entirely in ambient air. This method overcomes moisture-induced material instability by ensuring full conversion of perovskite films to their photoactive phase while protecting them from humidity. The process yields devices with power conversion efficiencies over 20% and excellent resistance to moisture and heat without the need for costly controlled environments.

 

For more information about this opportunity, please see