Simple method boosts durability of perovskite solar cells in real-world settings

Simple method boosts durability of perovskite solar cells in real-world settings

by Clarence Oxford

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 21, 2025

A research team at the Federal University of ABC (UFABC) in Sao Paulo has developed a novel method to reduce the degradation of perovskite solar cells, potentially clearing a path toward their broader commercial adoption. The study directly addresses one of the main barriers to real-world use: the rapid performance loss these cells face when exposed to ambient humidity and temperatures.

Perovskite solar cells rival silicon in efficiency and are cheaper to manufacture. They are lightweight, flexible, and semi-transparent, allowing use in applications ranging from solar windows to energy-generating tents. However, their limited durability under typical environmental conditions has been a critical challenge.

The UFABC team, supported by FAPESP and Shell through the Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE), successfully fabricated perovskite solar cells under normal ambient conditions-without the controlled humidity and temperature typical of lab environments. “The solar cells in this work were obtained under ambient conditions, without major humidity controls, which may be more compatible with industrial preparation conditions,” said study coordinator Professor Andre Sarto Polo.

Focusing on compositional tuning, the researchers modified methylammonium-based perovskites by gradually adding formamidinium (FA+) cations. The resulting materials were then used to fabricate solar cells, all processed and tested in environments with 40% to 60% relative humidity.

Over a 90-day testing period under ambient conditions, cells with higher FA+ content significantly outperformed those without. Devices with over 25% FA+ retained 80% of their initial efficiency, while those with no FA+ degraded entirely within 30 days.

“This work demonstrates how the incorporation of FA+ cations into MA+-based perovskites causes an increase in the durability of perovskite solar cells fabricated and measured under ambient conditions,” Polo stated.

He noted that the FA+ cations enlarge the crystalline grain size in the perovskite structure, reducing edge areas where moisture tends to accumulate and initiate degradation. This microstructural change helps the solar cells sustain performance longer under realistic conditions.

The findings, part of doctoral research by Lucas Polimante, suggest a scalable and less resource-intensive route to manufacturing longer-lasting perovskite solar cells.

Research Report:Enhancing the stability of methylammonium-based perovskite solar cells prepared in ambient conditions by adding formamidinium cations