Enhancing a Perovskite Solar Cell and Module by Suppressing Protonation through Chelating Agents

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Formamidinium perovskites (FA perovskites) are crucial for efficient solar cells.
• Methylammonium chloride (MACl) addition stabilizes the desired α-FAPbI₃ phase but causes degradation via byproduct formation.
• This degradation negatively impacts device performance and longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid as a novel corrosion inhibitor for FA perovskites.
• To evaluate its effectiveness in preventing byproduct formation and stabilizing the α-FAPbI₃ phase.
• To assess the performance and stability of perovskite solar modules incorporating this additive.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid into FA perovskite formulations.
• Fabrication of perovskite solar modules.
• Performance testing including power conversion efficiency (PCE) measurements.
• Long-term stability testing under damp-heat conditions (85 °C/85% RH) and maximum power point tracking (MPPT).

Main Results:

• Ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid effectively inhibited the formation of unstable byproducts.
• The stabilized α-FAPbI₃ phase was achieved, leading to improved device performance.
• A power conversion efficiency of 22.44% was recorded for the perovskite solar module.
• The device retained 83% of its initial efficiency after 2136 hours of damp-heat testing.
• MPPT stability showed 88.7% retention after 1000 hours.

Conclusions:

• Ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid is a highly effective stabilizer for FA perovskites.
• This additive significantly enhances the operational stability and durability of perovskite solar modules.
• The findings pave the way for more reliable and long-lasting perovskite solar energy applications.