Solar Energy News  
SOLAR DAILY
Next-gen solar cells could be improved by atomic-scale redesign
by Staff Writers
London, UK (SPX) May 15, 2017


Fresh (L) and degraded (R) solar cells are pictured. Credit Imperial College London

Researchers have uncovered the exact mechanism that causes new solar cells to break down in air, paving the way for a solution.

Solar cells harness energy from the Sun and provide an alternative to non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels. However, they face challenges from costly manufacturing processes and poor efficiency - the amount of sunlight converted to useable energy.

Light-absorbing materials called organic lead halide perovskites are used in a new type of solar cells that have shown great promise, as they are more flexible and cheaper to manufacture than traditional solar cells constructed of silicon.

However, perovskite cells degrade rapidly in natural conditions, greatly decreasing their performance in a matter of days. This is one reason they are not currently widely used.

Previously, a team led by scientists from the Department of Chemistry at Imperial discovered that this breakdown is due to the formation of 'superoxides' that attack the perovskite material. These superoxides are formed when light hitting the cells releases electrons, which react with the oxygen in the air.

Now, in a study published in Nature Communications, the team have determined how the superoxides form and how they attack the perovskite material, and have proposed possible solutions.

Working with Dr Christopher Eames and Professor Saiful Islam at the University of Bath, the team found that superoxide formation is helped by spaces in the structure of the perovskite normally taken up by molecules of iodide. Although iodide is a component of the perovskite material itself, there are defects where iodide is missing. These vacant spots are then used in the formation of superoxides.

The team found that dosing the material with extra iodide after manufacturing did improve the stability, but that a more permanent solution could be to engineer the iodide defects out.

Lead author of the new study, Nicholas Aristidou from the Department of Chemistry at Imperial, said: "After identifying the role of iodide defects in generating superoxide, we could successfully improve the material stability by filling the vacancies with additional iodide ions. This open up a new way of optimising the material for enhanced stability by controlling the type and density of defects present."

Lead researcher Dr Saif Haque from the Department of Chemistry at Imperial added: "We have now provided a pathway to understand this process at the atomic scale and allow the design of devices with improved stability."

Currently, the only way of protecting perovskite cells from degradation by air and light is to encase them in glass. However, perovskite solar cells are made from flexible material designed to be used in a range of settings, so the glass encasement severely limits their function.

Dr Haque said: "Glass encasement restricts movement and adds weight and cost to the cells. Improving the perovskite cell material itself is the best solution."

The team hope to next test the stability of the cells in real-world settings. The cells would be exposed to a combination of both oxygen and moisture, testing the cells in more relevant scenarios.

Research paper

SOLAR DAILY
Atomic-scale study could pave the way for better, longer-lasting solar cells
Washington DC (UPI) May 11, 2017
Solar cells are slowly becoming more efficient. But the newest, most promising light-absorbing material used in solar cells, organic lead halide perovskites, doesn't last very long. After just a few days, it can lose its efficiency advantages. Researchers at Imperial College London have identified the mechanism that causes perovskite cells to degrade so quickly. Their findings could pav ... read more

Related Links
Imperial College London
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SOLAR DAILY
Genome sequence of fuel-producing alga announced

New breakthrough makes it easier to turn old coffee waste into cleaner biofuels

Enhancing the efficiency of cereal straw for biofuel production

Biomass powering U.S. military base

SOLAR DAILY
Live interactions with robots increase their perceived human likeness

3-D-printed 'bionic skin' could give robots the sense of touch

Amazon's new Alexa speaker has a screen too

Chefs, robotics engineers, sailboat racers team up to tackle lionfish problem

SOLAR DAILY
Scientists track porpoises to assess impact of offshore wind farms

Dutch open 'world's largest offshore' wind farm

OX2 will manage a 45 MW wind farm owned by IKEA Group in Lithuania

Building Energy celebrates the beginning of operations and electricity generation of its first wind farm

SOLAR DAILY
South Korea building world's largest test site for self-driving cars

Judge blesses $1 bn compensation deal in VW diesel case

Judge seeks criminal review of Uber-Alphabet dispute

Experiments show that a few self-driving cars can dramatically improve traffic flow

SOLAR DAILY
Harnessing geometric frustration to tune batteries for greater power

Mini heat engine could power tomorrow's tiny machines

No batteries necessary, new medical implant derives energy from the human body

Electroplating delivers high-energy, high-power batteries

SOLAR DAILY
South Africa to restart nuclear power plans

Tunnel collapse at US nuclear site raises safety concerns

Tunnel collapses at US nuke site, no radiation leak

Plutonium research to aid nuclear cleanup techniques

SOLAR DAILY
Australia power grid leased to local-foreign consortium

Poland central to EU energy diversification strategy

Myanmar recovery linked to development of electrical grid

U.S. emissions generally lower last year

SOLAR DAILY
Microscopic soil creatures could orchestrate massive tree migrations

New look at satellite data questions scale of China's afforestation success

Poland EU row over ancient forest heats up

DR Congo arrests 14 Chinese for wood smuggling









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.