Conventional perovskite panels detect no more than half of all sunlight, including infrared. The new technology will make it possible to create hybrid cells with 24% efficiency.
A group of scientists from South Korea has created a new solar cell with increased efficiency. They presented their findings in a paper published in the journal Advanced Materials.
The absorption spectrum of current perovskite solar cells is limited to visible light at wavelengths of 850 nanometers (nm) or lower, so they cannot harness approximately 52% of the sun’s total energy. Scientists have developed an innovative technology that increases the ability to capture near-infrared light while significantly improving energy conversion efficiency.
The research team, consisting of Professor Chung-Yeon Lee from the Korea Key Institute of Science and Technology and Professor Woojae Kim from the Department of Chemistry at Yensei University, proposed and developed the next-generation hybrid device structure by combining organic photosemiconductors and visible-limited perovskite materials. light absorption. This resulted in a solar cell that can absorb radiation down to the near-infrared range.
Additionally, researchers studied the electronic structure problem and announced a high-performance solar cell that radically solves it with a dipole layer. They succeeded in lowering the energy barrier between the perovskite and the organic bulk heterojunction, suppressing charge accumulation, maximizing the near-infrared contribution, and increasing the current density (JSC) to 4.9 mA/cm2.
As the article authors note, the power conversion efficiency of the hybrid device increased from 20.4% to 24.0% compared to the old technology. A higher internal quantum efficiency (IQE) reaching 78% was achieved, especially in the near-infrared region. The device has demonstrated high stability, maintaining more than 80% of its original efficiency while tracking maximum output for more than 800 hours, even in extreme humidity conditions.
“Through this research, we have effectively solved the charge storage and energy band mismatch problems faced by existing perovskite/organic hybrid solar cells. And we will be able to significantly increase the energy conversion efficiency while maximizing near-infrared light capture efficiency,” said Professor Chong-Yeon Lee. “It is a new invention that can solve mechanical-chemical stability problems and overcome optical limitations,” he said.
The success of the Korean team significantly increases the opportunity to commercialize next-generation solar cells and is expected to contribute to significant technological advances in the global solar cell market.
Previously, scientists have created solar panels that are not afraid of snow. They can be installed vertically in homes, and the black color allows them to blend in with the facades and not spoil the view.
Source: Focus
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