Chiral-structured heterointerfaces enable durable perovskite solar cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Chemistry

Background:

• Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) face long-term stability challenges due to mechanical and chemical degradation at device heterointerfaces.
• Thermal cycling and damp heat conditions accelerate this degradation, limiting the practical application of PSCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer robust heterointerfaces in PSCs using chirality-mediated strategies.
• To enhance the mechanical reliability and chemical stability of PSCs under accelerated aging conditions.

Main Methods:

• Development of chirality-mediated interfaces using R-/S-methylbenzyl-ammonium between perovskite and electron-transport layers.
• Investigation of enantiomer-controlled entropy effects on interface elasticity and fatigue resistance.
• Analysis of heterochiral cation arrangements for improved chemical stability and charge transfer.

Main Results:

• The novel interfaces demonstrated increased mechanical reliability and enhanced tolerance to thermal cycling and damp heat.
• Encapsulated PSCs retained 92% of their initial power conversion efficiency after 1200 hours of thermal cycling (-40°C to 85°C).
• Encapsulated PSCs also retained 92% efficiency after 600 hours of damp heat testing (85°C, 85% RH).

Conclusions:

• Chirality-mediated interfaces offer a promising strategy for significantly improving the operational stability and durability of perovskite solar cells.
• The engineered interfaces mitigate degradation pathways, paving the way for more reliable and long-lasting perovskite photovoltaic devices.