Groundbreaking Breakthrough! C60 Ionic Salt Boosts Perovskite Battery Efficiency to Over 26% and Extends Lifespan, Advancing Commercialization
On April 18, 2025, researchers from Newcastle University, Toledo University, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory reported a significant advancement in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Traditionally, C60 is utilized as the electron transport layer (ETL) in inverted PSCs. However, its molecular properties have led to weak interface bonding, resulting in undesirable electronic and mechanical degradation.
The team synthesized a C60-derived ionic salt, <b>4-(1',5'-dihydro-1'-methyl-2'H-[5,6]fullerene-C60-In-[1,9-c]pyrrole-2'-yl)benzylammonium chloride (CPMAC)</b>, which was used as the ETL in inverted PSCs. The CH2-NH3<sup>+</sup> head group in CPMAC enhances the ETL interface, and its ionic characteristics improve packing density, increasing interface toughness by approximately threefold.
Devices incorporating CPMAC achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of around <b>26%</b>, with only about <b>2%</b> degradation after running for 2100 hours at 65°C under one sun illumination. For small modules (four sub-cells, 6 square centimeters), the PCE reached about <b>23%</b>, with less than <b>9%</b> degradation after 2200 hours at 55°C.
<b>Highlights of the Study:</b>
<ul>
<li><b>Innovative Material Design:</b> The synthesis of the C60-derived ionic salt CPMAC significantly enhances the interface bonding and mechanical stability of the ETL, addressing the weak interface issue of traditional C60 molecular layers.</li>
<li><b>High Efficiency and Stability:</b> Solar cells based on CPMAC achieved a remarkable <b>26%</b> efficiency and demonstrated minimal performance degradation (only <b>2%</b> after 2100 hours of high-temperature operation), showcasing excellent commercialization potential.</li>
<li><b>Scalability Verification:</b> In small modules, CPMAC also exhibited outstanding performance (PCE <b>23%</b>) and stability (degradation <b>9%</b> after 2200 hours), paving the way for the industrialization of perovskite solar technology.</li>
</ul>
For further reading, refer to the study by Shuai You et al., titled <i>C60-based ionic salt electron shuttle for high-performance inverted perovskite solar modules</i>, published in <i>Science</i>. DOI: <a href='https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adv4701'>10.1126/science.adv4701</a>.
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