SAS scientist contributes to discovery that could accelerate development of new solar cells

A research team from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), which included Mgr. Dmytro Rak, PhD., from the Institute of Experimental Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Košice, has explained why perovskites, materials considered the future of photovoltaics, can convert solar energy into electricity with extremely high efficiency despite containing numerous natural defects. The results of this international study were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications.

Perovskites have gained significant attention in recent years as a promising alternative to silicon, which currently dominates solar panel production. Their advantage lies in simpler and more cost-effective solution-based manufacturing. However, until now, it has remained unclear how they maintain such high performance.

Postdoctoral researcher Dmytro Rak and Professor Zhanybek Alpichshev from ISTA uncovered the mechanism behind the exceptional photovoltaic properties of perovskites. The key finding is that, unlike silicon technology, which aims to minimise defects, perovskites benefit from them. A natural network of structural defects enables long-distance transport of charge carriers, which is essential for efficient energy conversion. “Our work provides the first physical explanation of these materials that accounts for nearly all of their known properties,” says D. Rak. The findings could accelerate the transition of next-generation perovskite solar cells from the laboratory to practical applications.

From obscurity to prominence

Lead halide perovskites regained scientific attention around 2010, when their remarkable photovoltaic performance was demonstrated, although this class of materials had already been discovered in the 1970s. Today, they are also used in LEDs and in X-ray detection and imaging. “In addition, they exhibit remarkable quantum properties, such as quantum coherence at room temperature,” explains Z. Alpichshev.

An important part of the research was the development of a new imaging method, which the scientists compared to angiography. Using silver ions, they visualised the internal network of domain walls deep within the perovskite crystal and directly confirmed their existence.

These findings could significantly accelerate the development of a new generation of cheaper and more efficient solar cells. Instead of attempting to eliminate defects, scientists can now focus on harnessing the natural properties of these materials. The research opens new pathways for more efficient use of solar energy and more accessible renewable technologies.

According to the authors, the study provides the first comprehensive physical explanation of perovskites. “With this complete picture, we are finally able to reconcile many previously contradictory observations about lead halide perovskites and resolve the long-standing debate about the origin of their exceptional photovoltaic efficiency,” says D. Rak.

The results of the ISTA team may help improve perovskite efficiency without compromising its low-cost production, pointing toward a new generation of solar cells.

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