via University of Oxford
Scientists at Oxford University have developed a solvent system with reduced toxicity that can be used in the manufacture of perovskite solar cells, clearing one of the barriers to the commercialisation of a technology that promises to revolutionise the solar industry.
Perovskites – a family of materials with the crystal structure of calcium titanate – have been described as a ‘wonder material’ and shown to be almost as efficient as silicon in harnessing solar energy, as well as being significantly cheaper to produce.
By combining methylamine and acetonitrile, researchers have developed a clean solvent with a low boiling point and low viscosity that quickly crystallises perovskite films at room temperature and could be used to help coat large solar panels with the material.
The results are published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal Energy & Environmental Science.
Dr Nakita Noel of Oxford’s Department of Physics, lead author of the study, said: ‘At the moment, there are three main solvents used in the manufacture of perovskite solar cells, and they are all toxic, which means you wouldn’t want to come into contact with them.
‘Additionally, the most efficient perovskite solar cells are currently made through a process called solvent quenching – a technique that is not easily transferred from lab-scale deposition techniques to large-scale deposition techniques. While vapour deposition of these materials can overcome this problem, it will come at additional costs. One of the main selling points of this material is that it is cheap and can be easily solution-processed.
‘We have now developed the first clean, low-boiling-point, low-viscosity solvent for this purpose.’
Dr Noel added: ‘What is really exciting about this breakthrough is that largely reducing the toxicity of the solvent hasn’t led to a reduction in the efficiency of the material in harnessing solar energy.’
In recent years, perovskite-based solar cells have raced to the front of emerging photovoltaics, already competing on efficiency against well-established solar technologies such as the inorganic thin-film and multi-crystalline silicon used in solar panels around the world. Perovskites also have the shortest ‘energy payback time’ – the time taken for a material to save the same amount of energy that was expended in its production. It has been said that the sun supplies enough power in 90 minutes to meet the world’s total energy needs for a year
Study co-author Dr Bernard Wenger, also of Oxford’s Department of Physics, said: ‘While we are probably still a few years from seeing perovskite-based solar panels on people’s roofs, this is a big step along the way.’
Learn more:Â Non-toxic solvent removes barrier to commercialisation of perovskite solar cells
The Latest on: Perovskite solar cells
via Google News
The Latest on: Perovskite solar cells
- These materials were meant to revolutionize the solar industry. Why hasn’t it happened?on May 18, 2022 at 3:00 am
Solar panels are basically synonymous with silicon. The material is used in about 95% of the panels in today’s market. But silicon solar cells are limited in how much energy they can harness from the ...
- Perovskite Solar Cell Market Size [2022-2029] | Perovskite Solar Cell Industry Trends, Growth, Share, And Global Forecast Analysison May 16, 2022 at 4:52 am
Pune, India, May 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global perovskite solar cell market size is poised for steady expansion as renewable energy production exhibits an encouraging growth trajectory.
- Perovskite Solar Cell Market Size [2022-2029] | Perovskite Solar Cell Industry Trends, Growth, Share, And Global Forecast Analysison May 16, 2022 at 4:50 am
Pune, India, May 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global perovskite solar cell market size is poised for steady expansion as renewable energy production exhibits an encouraging growth trajectory.
- Perovskite Solar Cell Market Scenario Highlighting Major Drivers & Growth Forecast by 2030on May 13, 2022 at 6:55 am
According to the report published by Allied Market Research, Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, “Perovskite Solar Cell ...
- New Spray Process for More Efficient Perovskite Solar Cellson May 11, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Researchers are one step closer to making perovskite-based solar cells more cost-effective and efficient to produce and, thus, more commercially viable. A team from Madihol University in Thailand has ...
- Perovskite Solar Cell Module Market Is Set to Fly High in Years to Come with Top Countries Data | 94 Report Pageson May 11, 2022 at 3:33 am
May 11, 2022 (The Expresswire) -- "Perovskite Solar Cell Module Market" Insights 2022 By Types (Normal Structure, Inverted Structure), ...
- Perovskite Solar Cells Market Analysis, Share, Growth, Trends, Top Key Players and Regional Forecast 2025on May 10, 2022 at 11:05 am
Market Study Report recently added a new title on 2020-2025 Perovskite Solar Cells Market Report from its database. The report provides study with in-depth overview, describing about the Product, ...
- Self-healing perovskite solar PV cells can withstand fierce cosmic radiationon May 5, 2022 at 6:33 am
The development of a set of testing protocols for perovskite solar cells intended for use outside Earth's atmosphere could lead to the devices being installed permanently, and even manufactured, on ...
via Bing News