Post by account_disabled on Feb 25, 2024 5:31:57 GMT
Perovskite solar cell materials are cheaper to produce and absorb light better than silicon. This means that perovskite solar cells can be thinner and lighter than silicon solar cells without sacrificing the cell's ability to convert light into electricity. However, stability and current-voltage hysteresis are the main obstacles to the commercialization of metal halide perovskite solar cells. Both phenomena have been associated with ion migration.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered that channeling ions into defined pathways in perovskite solar cell materials improves the stability and operational performance of solar cells. The finding paves the way for a new generation of lighter, more flexible and more efficient solar cell technologies, suitable for practical use.
"We have not found a way to prevent ions from moving through perovskite materials, but we have discovered that it is possible to direct these ions into a safe conduit that does not impair the structural integrity or performance of the material," says Aram Amassian. , corresponding author.
Perovskite solar cell materials are multicrystalline materials. This means that when you grow a perovskite, the material forms as a series of crystals, or grains, that are aligned with each other. These grains are responsible for absorbing light and generating the charges responsible for electric current. Each of those grains has the same crystal structure, but the grains may be oriented in sli C Level Executive List ghtly different directions. The area where the grains touch is called the grain boundary.
"What we found is that grains are better protected from decay when ions move predominantly along the grain boundary," says first author and co-corresponding author Masoud Ghasemi, a former postdoctoral researcher at NC State who is now a postdoctoral researcher. in the State of Pennsylvania.
“Combining this with what is already known about perovskite materials, it is clear that problems begin when the grain boundaries are weak, making it easier for ions to move toward the grains themselves. “Designing stronger grain boundaries that protect the grains is essential to block the migration of ions and other harmful species such as oxygen from entering the grains, mitigating problematic chemical and structural changes in the material.”
“This is an important idea because there are established techniques we can use to design perovskite materials and their grain boundaries; Now we can make use of these approaches to protect grains,” says Amassian. “We demonstrate how those techniques strengthen grain boundaries in this paper. In short, we now know what needs to be done to make much more stable perovskites.”
The work can also inform the development of more efficient energy storage technologies .
“This work advances our fundamental understanding of how ions move through any crystalline material that can carry charge, not just halide perovskites,” Amassian says. “We are excited to talk to colleagues working in energy storage about how this can inform the engineering of faster ion conductors.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered that channeling ions into defined pathways in perovskite solar cell materials improves the stability and operational performance of solar cells. The finding paves the way for a new generation of lighter, more flexible and more efficient solar cell technologies, suitable for practical use.
"We have not found a way to prevent ions from moving through perovskite materials, but we have discovered that it is possible to direct these ions into a safe conduit that does not impair the structural integrity or performance of the material," says Aram Amassian. , corresponding author.
Perovskite solar cell materials are multicrystalline materials. This means that when you grow a perovskite, the material forms as a series of crystals, or grains, that are aligned with each other. These grains are responsible for absorbing light and generating the charges responsible for electric current. Each of those grains has the same crystal structure, but the grains may be oriented in sli C Level Executive List ghtly different directions. The area where the grains touch is called the grain boundary.
"What we found is that grains are better protected from decay when ions move predominantly along the grain boundary," says first author and co-corresponding author Masoud Ghasemi, a former postdoctoral researcher at NC State who is now a postdoctoral researcher. in the State of Pennsylvania.
“Combining this with what is already known about perovskite materials, it is clear that problems begin when the grain boundaries are weak, making it easier for ions to move toward the grains themselves. “Designing stronger grain boundaries that protect the grains is essential to block the migration of ions and other harmful species such as oxygen from entering the grains, mitigating problematic chemical and structural changes in the material.”
“This is an important idea because there are established techniques we can use to design perovskite materials and their grain boundaries; Now we can make use of these approaches to protect grains,” says Amassian. “We demonstrate how those techniques strengthen grain boundaries in this paper. In short, we now know what needs to be done to make much more stable perovskites.”
The work can also inform the development of more efficient energy storage technologies .
“This work advances our fundamental understanding of how ions move through any crystalline material that can carry charge, not just halide perovskites,” Amassian says. “We are excited to talk to colleagues working in energy storage about how this can inform the engineering of faster ion conductors.