The bonding between layers in versatile photo voltaic cells was improved, making them extra environment friendly, sturdy, and prepared for business use.
Researchers from the Chinese language Academy of Sciences have improved the effectivity and sturdiness of versatile tandem photo voltaic cells by strengthening the bond between the highest and backside layers. Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) is already utilized in business photo voltaic cells because of its tunable bandgap, sturdy gentle absorption, low sensitivity to temperature, and secure efficiency. These options make it a robust candidate for the underside layer in next-generation tandem photo voltaic cells.
In versatile perovskite/CIGS tandem cells, a perovskite high layer captures daylight effectively, whereas the CIGS backside layer helps total efficiency. This mix provides promise for light-weight, high-efficiency photo voltaic applied sciences. However CIGS has a tough floor, which makes it laborious to type a high-quality perovskite layer on high. This problem has restricted the business potential of such tandem cells.
The researchers separated the steps of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) adsorption and dissolution whereas additionally introducing perovskite seeding. A high-polarity solvent was used to keep away from SAM clustering throughout dissolution, and a low-polarity solvent acted as an antisolvent to assist type a dense SAM throughout adsorption. In addition they added a pre-mixed seed layer to enhance the floor wettability and crystal high quality of the perovskite, making certain higher adhesion.
Utilizing this technique, the staff constructed a 1.09 cm² versatile monolithic perovskite/CIGS tandem photo voltaic cell. The machine reached a stabilized effectivity of 24.6% (licensed at 23.8%), rivaling high inflexible designs and marking one of many highest efficiencies recorded for versatile thin-film photo voltaic cells.
Even after 320 hours of use and three,000 bending cycles at a 1 cm radius, the cell maintained over 90% of its unique effectivity—displaying sturdy mechanical sturdiness and long-term stability.
This breakthrough helps the longer term improvement of cost-effective, high-performance versatile tandem photo voltaic cells and brings them nearer to business use.
Reference: Nature Vitality (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01760-6
