Innovative Cathode Interlayer for Stability and Efficiency
A team of researchers from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, led by Professors Sung-Yeon Jang, Jungki Ryu, and Ji-Wook Jang, in collaboration with Professor Sang Kyu Kwak from Korea University, has achieved groundbreaking advancements in the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The team’s research introduces a chemically protective cathode interlayer, amine-functionalized perylene diimide (PDINN), addressing challenges and propelling PSCs towards commercial viability.
Challenges in Tin-Lead Halide Perovskites (TLHPs)
While TLHPs offer reduced toxicity and broad light absorption, inherent ionic vacancies lead to accelerated device degradation through inward metal diffusion. The research team’s solution involves the development of a PDINN cathode interlayer, which forms tridentate metal complexes, effectively extracting electrons and suppressing metal diffusion.
Record-High Efficiency and Stability
The PV device achieved an impressive efficiency of 23.21%, with over 81% retention after 750 hours of operation at 60 °C, and more than 90% retention after 3100 hours at 23 ± 4 °C. TLHP-based PEC devices, coupled with biomass oxidation, demonstrated a bias-free solar hydrogen production rate of 33.0 mA cm−2, approximately 1.7-fold higher than the U.S. Department of Energy’s target for one-sun hydrogen production.
Implications for Green Energy and Hydrogen Production
Professor Jang emphasized the broader goal, stating, “Our goal is not only to convert light energy into electrical energy but also to develop eco-friendly methods for producing basic chemicals, such as hydrogen, which form the foundation of various industries.”
The research findings, published in Advanced Energy Materials on November 30, 2023, mark a significant step towards sustainable and efficient perovskite solar cells. The study received support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under the Ministry of
Science and ICT (MSIT).
Science：miragenews.com
