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New method to drastically improve photoelectric conversion efficiency of high-performance perovskite solar cells
The research team led by Yang Yang, a Chinese-American professor of materials engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has developed an innovative method that significantly boosts the photoelectric conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells, while also offering improvements over traditional silicon-based solar panels. This breakthrough addresses some of the key challenges associated with conventional solar technology, such as high costs and environmental pollution from rare earth elements.
Silicon solar panels, although widely used, come with significant drawbacks. The raw material—silica—is expensive, and its production process is highly polluting. In recent years, scientists have been actively searching for more efficient, cleaner, and cost-effective alternatives. One promising candidate is perovskite solar cells, which theoretically could reach up to 50% efficiency. However, previous versions struggled with balancing performance across larger areas.
After seven months of intensive research, Yang Yang, alongside postdoctoral researchers Chen Qi and Zhou Huaiping, successfully increased the photoelectric conversion efficiency of perovskite cells from 3% to 16%. This advancement not only improves efficiency but also resolves earlier issues related to the size and performance trade-offs in perovskite solar panels.
According to Yang Yang, "Perovskite solar cells are made from two different materials. Traditionally, they are baked together, but these materials have different boiling points, making it difficult to achieve even coverage. This leads to poor electron transfer at the interface, reducing overall efficiency." To solve this, his team used vapor deposition, “steaming†one material into another to form a uniform film on the surface, greatly enhancing conductivity. Although the current test area is just one square meter, the performance is far superior to previous perovskite solar cells of similar size.
Yang Yang aims to push the efficiency even higher, targeting 20% in the near future. He has spent over a decade researching solar cell technologies and believes that perovskite offers a major advantage over silicon. While silicon-based cells currently have an efficiency of around 18%, their manufacturing process is energy-intensive, and it can take several years to recoup the energy used. Additionally, the high cost and environmental impact of silica make it less than ideal.
"World News" highlighted that perovskite is an artificially synthesized ceramic oxide, meaning there’s no risk of resource depletion. Its simple fabrication process also makes it much cheaper to produce, opening up vast commercial potential. The findings from Yang Yang's team were published in the *Journal of the American Chemical Society* on January 15, marking a significant step forward in the development of next-generation solar technology.