Key degradation processes identified in next-gen wide bandgap perovskite solar cells
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Sep 17, 2025
A new study in Materials Futures sheds light on the main degradation pathways affecting scalable wide bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells, a promising material for tandem solar technologies. Researchers from imec, Hasselt University, and Ghent University in Belgium demonstrated how thermal stress – whether in the dark or under illumination – plays a central role in device instability.
Their results show that under dark conditions, the charge transport layers fail first, while under light exposure the perovskite absorber itself undergoes severe degradation. The team reached these conclusions by conducting accelerated stress tests following International Summit on Organic Photovoltaic Stability (ISOS) protocols, mapping out different degradation pathways with advanced electrical characterization methods.
WBG hybrid-organic lead halide perovskites are attractive for integration into tandem cells due to their strong opto-electronic properties. Yet, their poor stability at elevated temperatures and under light has been a barrier to commercialization, largely due to phase segregation of bromide and iodide species. The new findings reveal that stability cannot be viewed as a single property, since different stress environments trigger distinct failure mechanisms.
The researchers compared WBG perovskite cells to narrower bandgap devices, confirming that light-driven thermal stress accelerates phase segregation and absorber breakdown. This reinforces the need for stabilization strategies not just at the material level, but across full devices and modules.
Future research will focus on nanoscale-level analysis of degradation, broader stress testing including outdoor deployment, and the development of industrial stability standards. Such steps are crucial before WBG perovskite cells can advance from the laboratory to scalable, commercial applications.
Research Report:In-Depth Study of Degradation in Scalable Wide Bandgap Perovskite Cells
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