Researchers at Northern Illinois University have reported in the journal Nature on a potential breakthrough in the development of hybrid perovskite solar cells.
Considered rising stars in the field of solar energy, perovskite solar cells convert light into electricity. They’re potentially cheaper and simpler to produce than traditional silicon-based solar cells and have demonstrated comparable efficiency levels. But key challenges remain before they can become a competitive commercial technology.
One major challenge is the use of lead. Most top-performing hybrid perovskite solar cells contain water-dissolvable lead, raising concerns over potential leakage from damaged cells.
Lead leakage could be perceived as an environmental and public health risk.
The research team has developed a technique to sequester the lead used to make perovskite solar cells and minimize potential toxic leakage by applying lead-absorbing films to the front and back of the solar cell.
Under conditions of severe solar cell damage in a lab setting, the lead-absorbing films sequestered 96% of lead leakage.
Their experiments further indicate the lead-absorbing layers do not negatively impact cell performance or long-term operation stability.
News Source: NIU
