Search Results (524)

Additive engineering plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), yet identifying suitable additives within the vast chemical space remains a significant challenge. This paper describes a paradigm shift in additive discovery from trial-and-error methods to AI-driven approaches. We first establish the physicochemical foundations of additive engineering and the descriptors commonly employed in machine learning algorithms. Next, we discuss intelligent process optimization, highlighting how active learning algorithms effectively tune complex precursor formulations with minimal experimental iterations. Additionally, we explore the role of AI in mechanism elucidation and the potential prospects of generative models in the field of additives. Finally, we emphasize the emerging trend of integrating large language models with autonomous laboratories for closed-loop autonomous discovery, offering a promising pathway to accelerate the commercialization of PSCs. Full article

In this study, we employ impedance spectroscopy to investigate the internal mechanisms influencing the efficiency and performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Using SCAPS-1D software (version 3.3.10), we simulate the FTO/ZnO/MASnI₃/NiOx/Au heterostructure to analyze the complex impedance (Z*) and electric modulus (M*). This approach allows us to differentiate between bulk material properties and interface phenomena, such as ion migration, charge transport, and recombination dynamics. Through Nyquist and Bode plots, we identify three distinct relaxation processes associated with charge migration, interface polarization, and charge injection/extraction at the electrodes. To achieve a more comprehensive understanding, we model the impedance and modulus spectra using an equivalent electrical circuit, which accurately reproduces the experimental data. Our analysis reveals that increasing the bias voltage extends the relaxation times for charge transport and interface polarization, highlighting a decline in performance under higher operational voltages. This performance drop is attributed to elevated resistive losses and enhanced recombination processes, which become more pronounced at higher fields. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing both bulk material properties and interface engineering to mitigate losses and improve the overall performance and stability of PSCs. Full article

The advancement of efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs) increasingly depends on developing flexible, metal-free electrode architectures. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) offer chemical robustness, high conductivity, and mechanical flexibility, making them promising candidates to replace brittle metal cathodes. However, pristine SWCNTs are intrinsically p-type, creating energy barriers and recombination losses in inverted (p–i–n) PSCs. Achieving stable n-type doping compatible with both SWCNTs and perovskites is therefore critical. Here, seven representative n-type dopants, small molecules (TBD and TPP), ionic salts (TBAI, TBABr, and B18C6·KCl), and polymers (PEI and PVP) were systematically investigated to elucidate their effects on doping efficiency and interfacial stability. Morphological, structural, and electronic analyses supported by DFT calculations reveal that strong bases and ionic dopants promote perovskite degradation, whereas polymeric and coordination-type dopants preserve crystallinity and surface uniformity. Among them, PEI- and TPP-doped SWCNT electrodes achieved the best device performance, with power conversion efficiencies of 9.6% and 8.1%, respectively, demonstrating efficient electron extraction and interfacial stability. These findings highlight that interfacial chemical compatibility rather than intrinsic donor strength governs the effectiveness of n-type SWCNT doping, providing rational design principles for stable, metal-free perovskite photovoltaics. Full article

The rapid progress of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has established them as a groundbreaking technology for sustainable energy. However, the sustainability of their lifecycle is still hindered by challenges related to material toxicity and end-of-life management. This review comprehensively assesses emerging recycling technologies, with a particular focus on their effectiveness in recovering perovskite compounds, transparent conductive oxides, and metallic contacts. Mechanical separation, solvent-based dissolution, thermal decomposition, and hybrid methods are compared in terms of recovery rates, purity levels, energy consumption, and scalability. Current challenges, such as the generation of secondary waste, the instability of recovered perovskites, and economic barriers, are critically analyzed alongside emerging solutions, including the use of non-toxic solvents, vacuum-assisted recovery, and the integration of closed-loop manufacturing. By evaluating lifecycle impacts and cost–benefit trade-offs, this work outlines pathways for transforming PSC waste into high-value secondary resources, thereby promoting both environmental sustainability and industrial competitiveness. Full article

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved remarkable efficiencies, yet further progress is limited by defect-induced nonradiative recombination and instability associated with uncontrolled crystallization. Here, we develop a protic ionic-liquid precursor engineering strategy based on methylammonium acetate (MAAc) for high-performance inverted (p–i–n) triple-cation perovskite solar cells. Systematic variation of the MAAc content reveals that a moderate concentration yields perovskite films with enlarged grains, suppressed pinholes, and strongly reduced residual PbI₂. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements, together with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and light-intensity-dependent analysis, demonstrate that MAAc effectively suppresses trap-assisted nonradiative recombination, prolongs carrier lifetime, and increases recombination resistance without introducing additional transport losses. As a result, optimized inverted devices deliver a champion power conversion efficiency of 23.68% with a high open-circuit voltage of 1.21 V, a fill factor of ~0.83, negligible J–V hysteresis, and excellent device-to-device reproducibility. Moreover, the MAAc-2M devices exhibit markedly improved operational and shelf stability, retaining 73.2% of their initial efficiency after 30 days, compared to 53.2% for the control. This work establishes MAAc as an effective ionic-liquid additive that simultaneously governs crystallization and defect chemistry, offering a general route to efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells via protic ionic-liquid-assisted precursor engineering. Full article

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a rising next-generational photovoltaic technology due to low fabrication costs through solution processing as compared to traditional silicon solar cells and high-power conversion efficiency. However, the poor long-term operational stability due to environmental and mechanical degradation remains a hindrance to commercialization. Herein, self-healing polymer additives are utilized by researchers to enhance the photovoltaic performance of PSCs by enabling self-restorative behavior from physical damage or chemical degradation. This review explores the design and application of self-healing polymers in both flexible and rigid PSCs, contrasting the two main reversible bonding mechanisms: physical bonds, such as hydrogen bonds, and chemical bonds, such as dynamic covalent disulfide bonds. Physical bonds provide passive healing at ambient conditions; meanwhile, chemical bonds offer a stronger restoration under external stimuli such as heat or light. These polymers are exceptionally effective at mitigating mechanical stress and cracks in flexible PSCs and combating moisture-induced degradation in rigid PSCs. The applications of self-healing polymers are categorized based on substrate type, healing mechanism, and perovskite composition, with the benefits and limitations of each approach highlighted. Additionally, the review explores the potential of multifunctional self-healing polymers to passivate defects at the grain boundaries and on surface of perovskite films, thereby enhancing the overall photovoltaic performance. Full article

The increasing impact of global warming is predominantly driven by the extensive use of fossil fuels, which release significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This has led to a critical need for alternative, sustainable energy sources that can mitigate environmental impacts. Photovoltaic technology has emerged as a promising solution by harnessing renewable energy from the sun, providing a clean and inexhaustible power source. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a class of hybrid organic–inorganic solar cells that have recently attracted significant scientific attention due to their low cost, relatively high efficiency, low–temperature processing routes, and longer carrier lifetimes. These characteristics make them a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, reducing the carbon footprint and contributing to the fight against global warming. In this study, the SCAPS–1D numerical simulator was used in the computational analysis of a PSC device with the configuration FTO/ETL/BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃/HTL/Ir. Different hole transport layer (HTL) and electron transport layer (ETL) material were proposed and tested. The HTL materials included copper (I) oxide (Cu₂O), 2,2′,7,7′–Tetrakis(N,N–di–p–methoxyphenylamine)9,9′–spirobifluorene (spiro–OMETAD), and poly(3–hexylthiophene) (P₃HT), while the ETLs included cadmium suphide (CdS), zinc oxide (ZnO), and [6,6]–phenyl–C₆₁–butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Finally, BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃ was proposed as an absorber, and a fluorine–doped tin oxide glass substrate (FTO) was proposed as an anode. The metal back contact used was iridium. Photovoltaic parameters such as short circuit density (I_sc), open circuit voltage (V_oc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) were used to evaluate the performance of the device. The initial simulated primary device with the configuration FTO/CdS/BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃/spiro–OMETAD/Ir gave a PCE of 5.75%. Upon testing different HTL materials, the best HTL was found to be Cu₂O, and the PCE improved to 9.91%. Thereafter, different ETLs were also inserted and tested, and the best ETL was established to be ZnO, with a PCE of 10.10%. Ultimately an optimized device with a configuration of FTO/ZnO/BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃/Cu₂O/Ir was achieved. The other photovoltaic parameters for the optimized device were as follows: FF = 31.93%, J_sc = 14.51 mA cm⁻², and V_oc = 2.18 V. The results of this study will promote the use of environmentally benign BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃–based absorber materials in PSCs for improved performance and commercialization. Full article

This article presents the design of a perovskite photovoltaic (PV)-based power management system, which uses a power converter (a four-stage bootstrap charge pump) to boost the output of the solar cell and supply selectable rectified power rails to CMOS image sensor circuit blocks. A perovskite photovoltaic, also known as a perovskite solar cell (PSC) was fabricated in the laboratory. The PSC has an open-circuit voltage of 1.14 V, short-circuit current of 1.24 mA, maximum power of 0.88 mW, and a current density of 20.68 mA/cm² at 62% fill factor. These measured forward scan parameters were closely reproduced with a solar cell simulation model. In a Cadence simulation that used 180 nm CMOS process, the power converter efficiently boosts the maximum output voltage of the PSC from 0.85 V to a rectified 3.7 V. Stage modulation and level shifting enable selectable output rails in the 1.2–3.3 V range to supply the image sensor circuit blocks. Keeping the output capacitance of the power converter much larger than the flying capacitance reduces the ripple voltage to approximately 73 µV, much smaller than the typical 1 mV in several other literatures. Through simulation, this work demonstrates the concept of directly using PSC (to be implemented on an outer ‘packaging’, not on a die) to supply CMOS image sensor power rails, in the same sense as in wearable devices and other consumer devices. This work highlights a path toward self-powered image sensors with improved conversion efficiency, compactness, and adaptability in low-light and variable operating environments. Full article

The weak hydrogen bond with methylammonium iodide (MAI) dominates the formation of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI₃) during its nucleation and growth process. Herein, a weak hydrogen bond involving iodide is designed between the MAI and glycerol molecule in mixed solvents containing N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to delay the growth of MAPbI₃ film. Incorporation of glycerol into the perovskite film indicates a larger grain size and suppressed nonradiative recombination of carriers in the film. Finally, the glycerol-doped perovskite solar cells (PSCs) achieve a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 16.84%, with excellent stability to retain 92.05% of their initial PCE after 30 days of storage. The above results unveil a deep understanding of weak hydrogen bonds in high-performance perovskite photovoltaics. Full article

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising photovoltaic technologies, yet their performance is critically influenced by the relative permittivity (ε_r) of the active layer, which governs charge carrier dynamics. This study employs SCAPS-1D simulations coupled with complex impedance and modulus spectroscopy to systematically investigate the impact of varying the ε_r of the MAPbI₃ layer from 4 to 12. We find that while the open-circuit voltage (V_oc~1.05 V) and short-circuit current density (J_sc~25 mA cm⁻²) remain stable, the FF and efficiency η (%) decline from 78% to 70% and 20% to 17%, respectively, with increasing εr. Impedance analysis deconvoluted this trend, revealing a decrease in recombination time (τ₁) and a peak in ionic transport time (τ₂) at ε_r = 7. The optimal performance of 18.86% was achieved at a lower ε_r, demonstrating that minimizing recombination losses through permittivity engineering is crucial for advancing PSC efficiency. Full article

Triple-cation perovskite solar cells, such as Cs_0.05(FA_0.83MA_0.17)_0.95Pb(I_0.83Br_0.17)₃ (hereinafter referred to as CsFAMA) have high efficiency (>26%), but their stability is limited by phase segregation and defects at grain boundaries. In this work, the effect of formic acid (HCOOH) on suppressing the degradation of perovskite films is investigated. It is shown that the addition of HCOOH to the precursor solution reduces the size of colloidal particles by 90%, which contributes to the formation of highly homogeneous films with a photoluminescence intensity deviation of ≤3%. Structural analysis and dynamic light scattering measurements confirmed that HCOOH suppresses iodide oxidation and cation deprotonation, reducing the defect density. Aging tests (ISOS-D) demonstrated an increase in the T80 lifetime (time to 80% efficiency decline) from 158 to 320 days for the modified cells under ambient conditions at room temperature and 40% relative humidity. The obtained results indicate a key role of HCOOH in stabilizing CsFAMA perovskite by controlling colloidal dynamics and defect passivation, which opens up prospects for the creation of commercially viable PSCs. Full article

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on metal halides have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional power conversion efficiency (PCE) and compatibility with low-temperature fabrication processes. However, the development of stable and inexpensive carbon electrodes remains hindered by issues such as insufficient conductivity at the carbon electrode/perovskite interface and weak coupling strength. In this study, we employed a functionalized carbazole–cellulose composite (C–Cz) as an alternative binder to construct highly stable carbon electrodes for PSCs. The incorporation of C–Cz enhances electron interactions through its conjugated carbazole moieties, while the cellulose backbone facilitates uniform dispersion of carbon particles and forms continuous transport pathways. These synergistic effects significantly optimize interfacial energy alignment and defect passivation. Ultimately, p-i-n PSCs fabricated with C–Cz carbon paste electrodes achieved a champion PCE of 16.79%, substantially outperforming the control device using a conventional PMMA binder (10.56%). Notably, the exceptional hydrophobicity and defect passivation capabilities of the C–Cz electrode substantially enhance device durability—maintaining over 95% of initial efficiency after 400 h of continuous maximum power point tracking irradiation. This study reveals an effective adhesive engineering strategy for robust, scalable carbon electrodes, paving new pathways for practical applications in stable perovskite photovoltaics. Full article

Lead-free chalcogenide perovskites are emerging as promising alternatives to hybrid halide perovskites due to their superior thermal stability, non-toxicity, and strong optical absorption. In this study, the photovoltaic performance of single-junction BaHfSe₃-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with the TCO/TiO₂/BaHfSe₃/Cu₂O/Au configuration is systematically investigated using SCAPS-1D simulations. Device optimization identifies TiO₂ and Cu₂O as suitable ETL and HTL materials, respectively. The optimized structure—TCO/TiO₂ (50 nm)/BaHfSe₃ (500 nm)/Cu₂O (100 nm)/Au—achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.47% under standard conditions. Simulation results reveal that device efficiency is influenced by absorber thickness and trap density. A detailed temperature-dependent study highlights that photovoltaic parameter efficiency is governed by the barrier alignment at the TCO/ETL interface. For lower TCO (Transparent Conducting Oxide) work functions (3.97–4.07 eV), PCE decreases monotonically with temperature, attributed to the increase in reverse saturation current resulting from a higher intrinsic carrier concentration. By contrast, higher TCO work functions (4.47–4.8 eV) yield an initial increase in efficiency with temperature, driven by reduced barrier height and favorable Fermi level shifts before efficiency declines at further elevated temperatures. These insights underscore the promise of BaHfSe₃ as a lead-free, environmentally robust perovskite absorber for next-generation PSCs, and highlight the critical importance of interface engineering for achieving optimal thermal and operational performance. Full article

Adding plasmonic nanostructures to perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can boost light absorption, but often at the cost of new electronic losses. Based on 3D FDTD simulations, this study demonstrates how Au@Al₂O₃ core-shell nanostructures can overcome this fundamental trade-off through a dual function of the Al₂O₃ shell, namely its moderate refractive index and excellent passivating properties. In addition, the geometry of Au@Al₂O₃ core–shell nanostructure is optimized to produce a maximum short-circuit current density ($J_{sc}$) of 25 mA cm⁻². The simulations provide mechanism-level design rules that link dielectric choice and geometry to near-field localization and far-field coupling in perovskite absorbers. An experimentally testable parameter window is reported rather than device-level performance claims, with explicit discussion of energy partitioning and stability caveats associated with plasmonic loss in Au and interfacial chemistry. Full article

Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of single-junction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has already soared from 3.8% to more than 26%. Their potential for application in tandem architecture with silicon and other established solar technologies has been deemed the future of low-cost solar technology. However, the commercialization of this technology is critically limited by instability under operational and environmental stress. The instability in the PSCs stems from both internal mechanisms including ion migration, defect formation, and electrode or charge transport layer (CTL)-induced degradation as well as external stressors such as moisture, oxygen, heat, and illumination. A complete understanding of both the internal and external stimuli-induced degradation and their mitigation strategies is essential for improving the device’s longevity. This review aims to provide a complete overview of the degradation mechanisms and steps taken to mitigate the degradation issues. The first half of the review discusses the degradation mechanism caused by internal degradation factors and provides strategies to mitigate them, while the second half focuses on the external stressors and the approaches developed by the perovskite community to overcome them. The commercialization of PSCs will depend on a holistic approach that simultaneously ensures both intrinsically as well as extrinsically stable devices. Full article