Researchers Develop Decoupled Co-Deposition Strategy For Flexible Perovskite Solar Modules

A joint research team from Southeast University and Soochow University has developed a new manufacturing technique to improve the performance and stability of flexible perovskite solar modules. By introducing a decoupling molecule that acts as an atomic referee, the researchers successfully prevented chemical conflicts between transport layers and perovskite components, allowing for more uniform and defect-free film deposition on flexible substrates.

The manufacturing process, termed decoupled co-deposition, utilizes a modulator molecule containing ammonium ions, iodide ions, and two sulfonate groups. This additive blocks premature reactions between the self-assembled monolayer transport layer and the perovskite crystals. Consequently, the transport molecules anchor effectively to the flexible base, while the additive guides crystal growth and seals structural flaws within the perovskite layer.

The research, published in the journal Science, reports significant improvements in both efficiency and durability. Small-area flexible cells achieved a third-party certified efficiency of 26.86 percent. Larger modules also demonstrated high performance, with 22.31 percent efficiency for 5 by 5 centimeter panels, 20.63 percent for 10 by 10 centimeter panels, and 20.15 percent for 30 by 30 centimeter sheets.

In stability testing, a 25-square-centimeter flexible device retained 92.5 percent of its initial 22 percent power conversion efficiency after 1,044 hours of maximum power point tracking at 85 degrees Celsius and 65 percent relative humidity. The modules also passed the international IEC 63163 stability standard, which includes thermal shock testing. These results provide a foundation for future roll-to-roll manufacturing of flexible photovoltaics, with upcoming research expected to focus on tandem cell integration and further production scaling.