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Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) have made a breakthrough in solar energy technology with the development of a pioneering living passivator that significantly boosts the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells. This innovative coating, devised by a team led by Professor Feng Shien-ping, Associate Dean in the College of Engineering and Professor in the Department of Systems Engineering at CityUHK, functions similarly to sustained-release drug capsules. It continuously emits chemicals to repair defects induced by environmental factors such as water and heat, positioning it as a promising advancement for next-generation perovskite photovoltaics.
This research, conducted in collaboration with Professor Henry J. Snaith from the University of Oxford and Professor Angus Yip Hin-lap, Associate Director of the Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy at CityUHK, has been documented in a paper titled “Water- and heat-activated dynamic passivation for perovskite photovoltaics,” recently published in the esteemed journal Nature.
Perovskite solar cells are renowned for their impressive capability to convert sunlight into electricity, making them strong contenders for the future of solar panels. Despite their potential, widespread adoption has been hindered by concerns over their long-term storage and operational stability. Various passivation strategies have been explored to enhance their performance and reliability, but addressing new defects arising from prolonged exposure to water and heat during operation has remained a challenge.
To tackle these issues, the CityUHK research team developed “living” passivators using a novel material. These passivators employ dynamic covalent bonds that activate in the presence of moisture and heat, allowing them to adaptively generate new passivators in response to environmental changes. This innovative mechanism facilitates real-time repair and maintenance of perovskite solar cells.
Extensive experimental testing demonstrated that the living passivator substantially enhances both the performance and durability of perovskite solar cells. This novel passivation strategy has achieved a photovoltaic conversion efficiency exceeding 25% and maintained operational stability for over 1,000 hours under high temperatures and humid conditions.
Dr. Wang Weiting, the first author of the study and a Research Associate on Professor Feng’s team, explained, “Applying a living passivator to perovskite surfaces enhances their resistance to environmental factors such as moisture and heat. This improvement in stability allows perovskite solar cells to perform reliably in hot and humid conditions, introducing a dynamic and responsive solution to environmental stressors.”
Professor Feng further elaborated on the concept, drawing a comparison with the resilience of plants and other living organisms to various weather conditions, noting that perovskite solar cells typically deteriorate within months. “The key difference lies in the ability of living organisms to regenerate and heal evolving defects. By incorporating a passivation mechanism that dynamically heals during operation, we can potentially harness this regenerative capability for perovskite or other electronic devices,” he remarked.
The team is currently working with industry partners to apply this technology to resolve issues related to ionic migration and instability in perovskite solar cells during both the manufacturing and operational stages. Enhancing the stability and reliability of these cells could significantly bolster their commercial viability. Furthermore, this technology has potential applications beyond solar cells, such as in anti-oxidation and interfacial contact engineering in micoelectronic devices.
The paper lists Professor Feng and Professor Henry J. Snaith as the corresponding authors, highlighting the collaborative nature and interdisciplinary expertise brought to this groundbreaking research. This development marks a significant step forward in making perovskite solar cells more stable, efficient, and commercially viable, thus contributing to the broader adoption of renewable energy technologies.
