Surrey study identifies potential solutions to stabilise perovskite solar cells

Perovskite-based cells are widely believed to be the next evolution of solar energy and meet the growing demand for clean energy, but they are not as stable as traditional solar-based cells.

According to the Surrey team, stabilising the perovskite photoactive phases – the part of the material that is responsible for converting light energy into electrical energy – is the key step to extending the lifespan of perovskite solar cells.

The team added that stability of the photoactive phase is important as it degrades or breaks down over time.

In their study, the Surrey team analysed how new technological advances can be used to strengthen the perovskite's phases.

In a statement, Dr Xueping Liu, the first author at Surrey University’s Advanced Technology Institute, said: "Perovskite solar cells are not yet as reliable as traditional solar cells, even though they are more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity.

“To make these cells more reliable, it is important to understand why they are unstable and to find ways to control how they are made to prevent them from breaking down over time. This research aims to do just that by better understanding the cells' stability and how to improve their design. By doing this, perovskite solar cells could be used on a larger scale, helping to provide more clean energy for everyone."

Dr Wei Zhang, the main corresponding author and project lead from Surrey University, said: "Revisiting scientific mechanisms of phase instability and seeking opportunities derived from light harvesting material will potentially trigger the evolution of the next generation perovskite PVs."

The team’s study has been published in Nature Reviews Chemistry.

The research was conducted in collaboration with the University of Toronto, the University of Stuttgart, and the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology.