Perovskite Solar Cells Made 30 Percent More Efficient

A rose petal-inspired design has helped improve the energy conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells.

AsianScientist (Apr. 21, 2016) – A research team from the Department of Electronic and Information Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), led by Professor Charles Chee Surya, has developed an innovative means to enhance energy conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells.

Perovskite has been established as one of the most promising solar cell materials. Perovskite solar cells first appeared in 2009 with an efficiency of just 3.8 percent. With outstanding photovoltaic properties, perovskite solar cells have become a subject of vigorous research for sustainable power generation, with researchers around the world seeking new ways to increase its energy conversion efficiency.

With this innovation, it is estimated that solar energy can be generated at cost of HK$2.73/W (US$0.35/W), compared with HK$3.9/W (US$0.50/W) at present generated by existing silicon solar cells available on the market.

It is important to note that there are different wavelengths for solar energy, a combination of different materials for making solar cells would work best for energy absorption. For example, methylammonium lead tri-halide perovskite and silicon solar cells can form a complementary pair. With the perovskite solar cell functioning as a top layer, it can harvest the short wavelength photons while the bottom layer coated with silicon is designed to absorb the long wavelength photons.

To maximize on energy efficiency, PolyU’s research team took three approaches. Firstly, the team used a chemical process—low-temperature annealing process in dry oxygen—to reduce the impact made by perovskite defects.

Secondly, the team fabricated a tri-layer of molybdenum trioxide/gold/molybdenum trioxide, making it highly transparent for light to reach the bottom silicon layer under the perovskite layer.

Finally, a haze film mimicking the shape and form of rose petals has been applied as the top layer of the solar panel to trap more light. All three aspects help enhance energy conversion efficiency.

The research team will continue to improve on power conversion efficiency as well as the performance of large-scale fabrication of perovskite-silicon solar cells.


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Source: Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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