TECH FOCUS SOLAR
LUMENCOR FEATURED PRODUCT
New analysis of 2D perovskites could boost the development of next-generation solar cells
MAGMA Light Engine: Solid State Illumination for Solar Test Platforms
Artificial light sources are essential for performance validation in photovoltaic device manufacturing and for characterization of properties such as photoconductivity and quantum efficiency in the development of new photovoltaic materials. Traditionally, characterization of photovoltaic devices has employed xenon arc or halogen lamps to approximate the solar spectrum. However their spectral output is not readily amenable to controlled adjustment, and long duration (weeks to months) tests are limited by their relatively
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people are now developing for large-scale, manufacturable perovskite cells, and therefore boost those efficiencies,’ said Bawendi.
Future avenues In pursuing the research further, there are two important avenues, according to Bawendi: to continue pushing the limits on better efficiency, and to focus on increasing the perovskite material’s long-term stability, which is currently measured in months, compared to decades for silicon cells. But
26 Electro Optics April 2021
short operating lifetimes. Lumencor’s MAGMA light engine employs modern solid state illumination technology to overcome these limitations. Within a compact 15 cm x 35 cm footprint, the MAGMA light engine incorporates 21 individually addressable LED light sources, ranging from 365 nm to 1050 nm, under the control of an onboard microprocessor. The LED outputs are merged into a common optical train directed to the light output port on the front panel. Adjustment of the relative output intensities of the 21 elements of the LED array enables synthesis of user-specified spectral distributions, such as the AM1.5G solar spectrum.
https://lumencor.com
for some purposes, Bawendi noted, longevity may not be so essential. This is because many electronic devices such as cellphones, for example, tend to be replaced in a few years, so there may be some useful applications even for relatively short-lived solar cells. ‘I don’t think we’re there
yet with these cells, even for these kinds of shorter-term applications,’ he said. ‘But people are getting close, so combining our ideas in this paper with ideas other people have with increasing stability,
Three-dimensional perovskites have proved themselves remarkably successful materials for solar panels in the past decade. One key issue with these materials, however, is their stability, with device performance decreasing quicker than other state-of-the-art materials. Researchers from the University of Surrey believe that the 2D variant of perovskites could provide answers to these performance issues. In a study in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, researchers from the university’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) have shown how to improve the physical properties of a 2D perovskite called Ruddlesden- Popper.
Their study analysed the
effects of combining lead with tin inside the Ruddlesden-Popper structure to reduce the toxic lead quantity. This also allows for the tuning of key properties such as the wavelengths of light that the material can absorb at the device level, which could improve the performance of photovoltaics.
‘There is rightly much
excitement about the potential of 2D perovskites, as they could inspire a sustainability revolution in many industries,’ said Cameron Underwood, lead author of the research paper. ‘We believe our analysis of
strengthening the performance of perovskite can play a role in improving the stability of low- cost solar energy.’ Professor Ravi Silva, a
co-author of the research and director of the ATI, added: ‘As we wean ourselves away from fossil energy sources to more sustainable alternatives, we are starting to see innovative and ground-breaking uses of materials such as perovskites. The ATI is dedicated to being a strong voice in shaping a greener and more sustainable future in electronics – and our new analysis is part of this continuing discussion.’
Paper in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters:
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs. jpclett.0c03699
2D perovskites could provide answers to the performance issues of perovskite materials for solar cells
could lead to something really interesting.’ Robert Hoye, a lecturer
in materials at Imperial College London, who was not part of the study, said: ‘This is excellent work by an international team. This could lead to greater reproducibility and excellent device efficiencies achieved in the lab translating to commercialised modules. In terms of scientific milestones,
not only do they achieve an efficiency that was the certified record for perovskite solar cells for much of last year, they also achieve open-circuit voltages up to 97 per cent of the radiative limit. An astonishing achievement for solar cells grown from solution.’ EO
Paper in Nature:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586- 021-03285-w
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