Adrian JohnsonTLDR: Researchers from Tor Vergata University of Rome have developed the first air-stable lead (Pb) and tin (Sn)-free perovskite solar modules. The modules were fabricated using an antimony (Sb)-based perovskite-inspired material (PIM) as the light absorber. The new material addresses concerns about the potential toxicity of lead in perovskite technology and offers alternatives to unstable tin-based perovskites. The Sb-based perovskite-inspired material photovoltaic cells showed improved power conversion efficiencies and long-term stability, making them suitable for large-scale production of greener photovoltaics.
Researchers from Tor Vergata University of Rome have developed the first air-stable lead (Pb) and tin (Sn)-free perovskite solar modules. The modules were fabricated using an antimony (Sb)-based perovskite-inspired material (PIM) as the light absorber. The new material addresses concerns about the potential toxicity of lead in perovskite technology and offers alternatives to unstable tin-based perovskites. The Sb-based perovskite-inspired material photovoltaic cells showed improved power conversion efficiencies and long-term stability, making them suitable for large-scale production of greener photovoltaics.
The researchers introduced two cations in the precursor mixture, which not only improved the power conversion efficiencies of the cells by 81% compared to conventional Cs-only counterparts, but also boosted long-term stability by 60% with only a 10% loss after aging in air for approximately 1,800 hours. The researchers were also able to carry out all three scalable laser patterning steps in air, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs. Future studies will focus on increasing the efficiencies of these types of cells. The research group said that this study reveals new potentialities for large-scale production of potentially greener photovoltaics.
