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: Non-toxic solvent removes barrier to commercialisation of perovskite solar cells
The Latest on: Perovskite solar cells
[google_news title=”” keyword=”perovskite solar cells” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Perovskite solar cells
- Researchers outline path forward for tandem solar cellson April 26, 2024 at 7:22 am
As the old saying goes, two heads are better than one. The same is true when it comes to solar cells working in tandem. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy ...
- Ultra-thin, flexible solar cells demonstrate their promise in a commercial quadcopter droneon April 24, 2024 at 9:27 am
Whether on Earth or in space, autonomous energy is critical in order to keep power systems running independently for extended periods of time, particularly in remote or unpredictable environments.
- Photovoltaic Research Challenges: Overcoming Hurdles in Solar Technologyon April 24, 2024 at 7:44 am
Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has evolved in the past few years, particularly in solar panels and systems. However, researchers and institutions are actively working to overcome limitations to ...
- Perovskite cells power palm-sized droneon April 24, 2024 at 4:19 am
Researchers at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz and the Linz Institute for Organic Solar Cells in Austria have developed ultra-lightweight quasi-2D perovskite solar cells with a power output of ...
- Solar Energy Newson April 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Apr. 8, 2024 — Researchers have fabricated a new four-terminal organic solar cell with a tandem configuration with a 16.94% power conversion efficiency (PCE). The new device is composed by a ...
- Solar-cell-packin' drone uses sunlight for on-the-spot rechargingon April 19, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Multirotor drones may one day be able recharge their batteries while out and about, instead of having to return to a charging station. They could do so via onboard ultra-thin solar cells, which have ...
- Researchers develop ‘half-tandem’ perovskite solar cells with conversion efficiency of 27.63%on April 19, 2024 at 2:53 am
Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology reserachers have developed ‘half-tandem’ solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 27.63% ...
- Pros and cons of solar energyon April 18, 2024 at 7:13 am
Solar power could become the primary source of electricity worldwide by 2050 – but there are still clouds in the forecast ...
- Solar cells 20 times thinner than a strand of human hairon April 18, 2024 at 12:42 am
Solar-Powered Drones Support Sustainable Aviation. Developed by researchers at the Johannes Kepler University Linz, the new and ...
via Bing News