An international research team from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia has unveiled a groundbreaking 3D/2D perovskite solar cell that demonstrates significant advancements in efficiency and stability. This discovery, published on January 29, 2025, utilizes a meta-amidinopyridine (MAP) ligand to enhance ferroelectric properties without compromising charge transport.
The new solar cells incorporate a unique combination of 2D hybrid materials, known for their stability and high exciton binding energy. The research team experimented with various organic ammonium salts, ultimately favoring halogenated phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) salts for their superior hole extraction capabilities.
To improve the 3D/2D perovskite heterostructures, the researchers applied a solvent post-dripping technique, resulting in a well-ordered 2D perovskite phase that significantly enhances the overall performance of the solar cells. They noted that this method allowed for a more orderly orientation of the 2D phase on the 3D perovskite layer, which is crucial for optimizing efficiency.
Testing under standard illumination conditions revealed a maximum power conversion efficiency of 26.05%, with a certified efficiency of 25.44% and a fill factor of 85.5%. In comparison, conventional solar cells without the 2D-MAP ligand achieved an efficiency of 23.5% and a fill factor of 81.45%.
Durability tests also showed promising results, with the encapsulated solar cells retaining 82% and 75% of their initial efficiency after 1,000 hours and 840 hours under damp heat and outdoor conditions, respectively. This indicates a significant improvement in practical longevity, making these solar cells viable for real-world applications.
The study, titled "Solvent-dripping modulated 3D/2D heterostructures for high-performance perovskite solar cells," involved collaboration among researchers from several prestigious institutions, including the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the National Technical University of Athens.