Breakthrough in Perovskite Solar: Chalcogen-Passivated Cell Hits 25.37% Efficiency

An international research team has developed a high-efficiency perovskite solar cell using innovative chalcogen-based Lewis molecules, achieving a certified 25.18% efficiency and a record 25.37% champion efficiency—along with dramatically improved stability.

By employing a fully encapsulated trapping tactic (FETT) and novel thiophene (n-Bu4S) and selenophene (n-Bu4Se) passivation, the team significantly reduced defects while enhancing moisture, heat, and light resistance.

Key Achievements

✔ 25.37% peak efficiency (certified 25.18%)
✔ 95% efficiency retention after 1,000 hours (30-40% humidity)
✔ 93% efficiency retention after 500 hours at 85°C
✔ 94% efficiency retention after 1,300 hours under light stress

(Control cells degraded to 69% (humidity), 53% (heat), and 59.3% (light) under the same conditions.)

How Does This Perovskite Solar Cell Work?

• Lewis base molecules (n-Bu4S & n-Bu4Se) passivate surface defects in the perovskite layer.

• Concave molecular design enhances defect trapping, improving film quality.

• Hydrophobic alkyl groups boost moisture resistance.

• Reduces interfacial recombination and improves charge extraction.

• Enhances carrier lifetime and film morphology.

Cell Structure

• Substrate: ITO (Indium Tin Oxide)

• Electron Transport Layer (ETL): SnO₂

• Perovskite Absorber: Passivated with n-Bu4S or n-Bu4Se

• Hole Transport Layer (HTL): Spiro-OMeTAD

• Back Electrode: Gold (Au)

Perovskite solar cells are cheaper and easier to manufacture than silicon cells but suffer from instability and defect-related efficiency losses. This breakthrough tackles three major challenges:

1. Efficiency – Surpassing 25% brings perovskites closer to silicon (~26%).

2. Stability – Near-complete retention under heat, humidity, and light.

3. Scalability – Solution-based processing enables low-cost production.

Future Implications

• Commercial viability for perovskite-silicon tandem cells (potential >30% efficiency).

• Durable solar panels for high-humidity and high-temperature regions.

• Accelerated adoption of perovskite PV in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and flexible solar applications.

Research Team & Publication

• Institutions:

  • University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

  • Lanzhou University

  • French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)

• Published in: Nature Communications

  • Title: "Tailoring pyridine bridged chalcogen-concave molecules for defects passivation enables efficient and stable perovskite solar cells"

Final Thoughts

This study marks a major leap forward in perovskite solar technology, bringing it closer to mass commercialization. With unprecedented stability and efficiency, these cells could soon compete with—or even surpass—traditional silicon panels.

Will perovskite solar dominate the future of photovoltaics? Share your thoughts below!

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