Perovskite solar cells, known for their comparable performance to traditional silicon solar cells and significant cost advantages, are making strides in the field of photovoltaic technology. On April 13, researchers from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, including young faculty member Lin Zhichao, in collaboration with teams from Xian Jiaotong University and Henan University, announced a significant breakthrough in enhancing the energy conversion efficiency and stability of these cells by integrating metallic fullerene with polymers.
Lin Zhichao explained that current waterproof polymers are commonly used as encapsulation layers for perovskite solar cells to prevent water and oxygen from degrading the perovskite layer, thereby suppressing ion diffusion and improving long-term operational stability. However, when the polymer layer becomes too thick, it can create an electron shielding effect, resulting in performance losses for the perovskite solar cells. This makes it challenging to balance long-term stability with efficiency.
Fullerene, a carbon allotrope, is known for its efficient electron conduction properties. “This research is akin to providing perovskite solar cells with a ‘super armor’ called the ‘fullerene-polymer coupling layer,’ woven with the soccer ball-shaped fullerene material, enabling efficient electron transport,” Lin stated. Additionally, the research team embedded metallic neodymium within the fullerene, akin to installing an “electric motor,” enhancing the speed and stability of electron transport.
Experimental data revealed that perovskite solar cells equipped with this “super armor” achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 26.78%, showing significant improvement over previous reports and closely approaching the highest efficiency of commercial silicon solar cells at 27.81%. Remarkably, the production cost of these perovskite solar cells is only about half that of silicon solar cells, highlighting the immense application potential of this green energy technology.
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