Gradual volatilization induced by volatile solid additives. Credits: Energy and Environmental Science (2025). doi:10.1039/d4ee03897e
Recent research shows how materials derived from camp brain, a natural extract from camp brain trees, can greatly improve the quality of perovskite thin films used in solar cells. The sublimation properties of this material (the ability to transfer directly from solids to gas without leaving residues) are utilized to increase device performance and manufacturing efficiency.
A research team led by Professor Changduk Yang of UNIST’s Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering has synthesized high-quality perovskite films by incorporating camp brain derivatives. The lack of residual materials is expected to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce production costs while extending solar cells’ lifespan and efficiency. The findings are published in Journal Energy & Environmental Science.
The perovskite thin film of solar cells is made up of many crystal grains. Larger, ordered grain grains promote smoother electron flow, enhance structural integrity, and lead to improved efficiency and durability. To achieve such high quality construction, additives are often employed during manufacturing. However, residual additives can interfere with device performance.
To address this issue, researchers used canholquinone (CQ) as an additive. CQ is a derivative of camp brains and is extracted from camp brain trees modified with oxidation groups. Unlike Camphor, which directly sublimates from solids to gas, CQ sublimates in stages. It aids in uniform seed crystal formation during the first heat treatment, and gradually fully sublimation during the second heating process. This controlled sublimation allows perovskite membranes to grow optimally without residual contaminants.
Researchers at Jeewon Park, the first author of the study, said, “CQ can be timed accurately to affect the crystal growth stage and may not leave any residual substances in the film. This unique property allowed us to produce high-quality perovskite films.”
The solar cells manufactured with these CQ reinforced films demonstrate a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.2%, surpassing the 23.0% efficiency of the control device without additives, and an improvement of about 9.6%.
In Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) tests that simulate real-world operating conditions, these devices retained more than 90% of their initial efficiency after 1,000 hours, and more than doubled the operational lifespan of comparable control devices. MPPT is a strict standard for assessing the stability of simulated solar cells in sunlight.
Professor Yang said, “We not only solve the stability problems of perovskite solar cells using environmentally friendly, naturally derived materials, but also advance sustainable energy technologies, as well as paving the way for more durable and cost-effective solar solutions.”
Details: Jeewon Park et al, Perovskite solar cells, induced in stages of volatile solid additives sold in nature, improving the efficiency and stability of energy and environmental science. doi:10.1039/d4ee03897e
Provided by Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Quote: Environmentally friendly method improves the quality of perovskite solar cells using Camphor-based additives (2025, July 8) obtained from https://techxplore.com/2025-07-ECO—-Metrod-Perovskite Solar on July 8, 2025.
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