Scarcity of fossil fuel resources, rapid population growth, high energy prices and ever-worsening pollution demonstrate the dire need for clean, renewable energy sources. Solar energy is an appealing choice, and recent developments in perovskite solar cell technology has increased their power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 6.5% to > 16%. Combined with a low-cost fabrication process, the high efficiency of perovskite solar cells could position them as a strong candidate for the next generation of solar cells, but there is a significant hurdle to surmount: when a cell is operated repeatedly in humid air, the PCE of the cell decreases quickly and the device rapidly ages. Another glass piece is typically added to protect the vulnerable part of the solar cell, but this is both expensive and rigid, precluding applications in which a flexible solar cell is desirable. Addressing the problem of long-term stability is crucial to perovskite solar cells’ viability as a source of clean, renewable energy production.
Description
In humid air, ambient water molecules are preferentially adsorbed to an inorganic component below the perovskite layer, resulting in dissociation of an organic component from the lead iodide perovskite solar cell. Researchers have developed a new protective layer which has tunable wettability to prevent the interaction between water and the lead iodide. The protective layer is a nanoparticle-embedded PMMA polymer coating that produces a superhydrophobic film that effectively seals the solar cells from ambient water. It is a cost-effective solution that also has the advantage of being flexible, encouraging the development of flexible solar devices for use in wearable electronic devices, automobiles, and building applications. The new, flexible PMMA coating effectively suppresses the aging of perovskite solar cells and dramatically increases the lifetime of high-efficiency solar cells.
Applications
· Suppressing the aging process and increasing the lifetime of high-efficiency solar cells
Advantages
· Less expensive than glass sheet protection
· Maintains flexibility for innovative new applications of solar cell technology
Invention Readiness
Prototype
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US11469054B2
