Strong cells - performance upgrade with mini modules

A new molecular hole-transporter can improve the performance of inverted perovskite solar cells and mini modules to world record values, as reported in "Science" by Prof. Yongzhen Wu (East China University of Science and Technology) and his international team, including physicists from the University of Potsdam. Improving the lifetime energy yield from solar cells is an important factor to become independent from fossil energy sources. Inverted perovskite solar cells are particularly promising because of their very simple fabrication at low costs and their stability allowing them to pass several stability tests of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). In contrast to solar cells with a regular structure, inverted perovskite solar cells resemble organic solar cells, with a layer of perovskite replacing the organic absorber layer. Novel charge transport materials that lower interfacial losses have to be developed to further reduce device degradation, enable upscaling and to further enhance the lifetime energy yield. Fangyuan Ye, long-time PhD candidate visitor at the University of Potsdam from the East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) and shared-first author, Prof. Dieter Neher and Dr. Martin Stolterfoht, leader of the PotsdamPero group and corresponding author, contributed to the study in which the authors developed a novel hole transport layer based on a self-assembled monolayer. This monolayer consists of amphiphilic molecules, molecules that are both hydrophilic (water-soluble) and hydrophobic (water-fearing).