Lead-free capping layer points to commercial perovskite solar cells

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Researchers in Singapore report that they have overcome a major hurdle to the commercialisation of perovskite solar cells.

The NTU Singapore scientists who led the research. (From left) Professor Sum Tze Chien, director of the Institute of Advanced Studies at NTU and Associate Dean (Research) of NTU’s College of Science; Dr Ye Senyun, research fellow from NTU’s School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences; Dr Rao Haixia, research fellow from NTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Lam Yeng Ming, Chair of NTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering
The NTU Singapore scientists who led the research. (From left) Professor Sum Tze Chien, director of the Institute of Advanced Studies at NTU and Associate Dean (Research) of NTU’s College of Science; Dr Ye Senyun, research fellow from NTU’s School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences; Dr Rao Haixia, research fellow from NTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Lam Yeng Ming, Chair of NTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering - NTU Singapore

Solar cells made from perovskite have potential as a replacement for silicon solar cells as they are relatively efficient and can be made economically. They do, however, decompose when they react with moisture and oxygen or when they are exposed to light, heat, or used for an extended time. This has raised concerns that the small amount of lead present in perovskite solar cells could pollute the environment.

The lead comes from the perovskite material and a compound used to make a perovskite solar cell’s capping layer.

Now, research by scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have provided the possibility of capping materials based on non-toxic metals.

Their study, published in Nature Energy and led by Professor Sum Tze Chien, director of the Institute of Advanced Studies at NTU and Associate Dean (Research) of NTU’s College of Science, and Professor Lam Yeng Ming, Chair of NTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering, could bring perovskite solar cells closer to market.

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perovskite solar cells