Innovative use of MXenes in passivation layer shows significant improvements for perovskite solar cellsBrazilian scientists develop MXene-based method to boost solar cell efficiency and durability. Credit: scitechdaily.com

A recent report published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry C by scientists in Brazil details a potential solution for improving the efficiency and durability of solar cells made using perovskite, a synthetic semiconductor material. The findings have significant implications for the future of solar power.

The team from São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Bauru developed a method utilizing MXenes - a group of two-dimensional materials composed of transition metals, carbon, and/or nitrogen, with surface functional groups like fluoride, oxygen, or hydroxyl. These materials are known for their high electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and light transmittance.

The study involved the incorporation of the MXene Ti3C2Tx into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to create a passivation coating that was applied to the top of the perovskite layer in inverted solar cells. Passivation coatings are designed to counter any potential defects in polycrystalline solids, such as perovskite, caused by environmental factors or internal structure. The architecture of perovskite solar cells is crucial to their performance, and this study focused specifically on inverted solar cells, where the device's structure is reversed to maintain high optical transparency as sunlight passes through the perovskite layer.

The addition of Ti3C2Tx resulted in a remarkable increase in the power conversion efficiency of the cells, from 19% to 22%. It also significantly improved the cells' stability, with no performance decline even after three times the amount of time as control cells (without the passivation layer).

João Pedro Ferreira Assunção, the lead author of the article and a master's candidate in materials science and technology at UNESP, expressed surprise at the results, as the initial goal of the project was only to address the decrease in performance caused by the addition of the insulating passivation layer.

The current focus in perovskite solar cell research is on finding ways to effectively produce these cells on an industrial scale, while ensuring they maintain high efficiency and stability. According to Assunção, this study demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating MXenes into mass production processes and provides valuable insights into the electrical, morphological, and structural characteristics of these complex devices.

Overall, this study represents a promising step towards achieving sustainability goals, such as producing clean energy, reducing environmental impact, and establishing Brazil as a leading producer of solar cells.

Alton Shaffer
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