Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit distinct performance characteristics under extreme temperatures, with recent advancements improving their resilience. Here’s a synthesis of findings:
Low-Temperature Performance
At -160°C, studies show PSCs experience recoverable lattice strain and phase transitions without permanent structural damage. In situ measurements confirm perovskite crystal disordering remains reversible upon returning to normal temperatures, allowing device performance recovery. However, interfacial charge extraction efficiency may decrease temporarily at ultra-low temperatures.
High-Temperature Behavior
- Below 80°C:
- Regenerative effects: Initial thermal cycling (20–70°C) can improve crystallinity and hole-transport layer doping, boosting power conversion efficiency (PCE) by ~10%.
- Degradation drivers: Prolonged exposure above 70°C accelerates charge recombination and deteriorates charge extraction interfaces.
- 85–150°C:
- Encapsulation breakthroughs: A 2025 study demonstrated PSCs with 25.56% initial PCE retained >85% efficiency after 1,000 hours at 85°C/85% humidity using an ethylene carbonate-modified hole transport layer.
- Phase stability: Above 110°C, conventional additives like tBP reduce glass transition temperatures, but replacement materials (e.g., EC) enable stable operation up to 125°C.
Thermal Cycling Resilience
Advanced p-i-n architectures with fluorinated polymers achieve 23% PCE on 1 cm² devices, retaining >90% efficiency after -60°C to 80°C cycling. This design reduces defect density and optimizes work function alignment, minimizing interfacial losses during thermal stress.
Critical Challenges
- Hysteresis effects: Low-temperature metastable states can cause temporary performance drops.
- Material selection: Conventional hole transporters (e.g., spiro-OMeTAD) degrade above 70°C, necessitating novel dopants and interface engineering.
Recent innovations in strain-tolerant perovskites and thermally stable charge transport layers position PSCs as viable candidates for extraterrestrial and extreme-climate applications.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-perovskite-solar-cells-perform-in-extreme-temperatures/
