The Perovskite-Info newsletter (November 30, 2021)

The following post is a sponsored post by MBRAUN

Bad process control for perovskite vacuum deposition is a result of the properties of the organic precursor molecules (low evaporation temperature, generation of a partial pressure in the chamber). MBRAUN/CreaPhys novel perovskite deposition concept addresses these problems with two major modifications to the system:

• a special system design to optimize the operating regime for a controlled process
• a new high precision precursor deposition sources

Deposition of volatile compounds (e.g., MAI) including multi-source co-deposition processes can be done under highly controlled high vacuum conditions. Furthermore, shadow masking can be used reliably to structure the deposited material.

HySPRINT Perovskite Lab © HZB / M. Setzpfandt

Researchers from Rice University and collaborators from Purdue and Northwestern universities, U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories Los Alamos, Argonne and Brookhaven and the Institute of Electronics and Digital Technologies (INSA) in Rennes, France, have reached a new benchmark in the design of atomically thin solar cells made of semiconducting perovskites, boosting their efficiency while also focusing on their stability.

The lab of Aditya Mohite of Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering discovered that sunlight itself contracts the space between atomic layers in 2D perovskites enough to improve the material’s photovoltaic efficiency by up to 18%.

Recent research has shown that the incorporation of graphene-related materials improves the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells. Graphene is hydrophobic, which can enhance several properties of perovskite solar cells. Firstly, it can enhance stability and the passivation of electron traps at the perovskite’s crystalline domain interfaces. Graphene can also provide better energy level alignment, leading to more efficient devices.

In a recent study, Spain-based scientists used pristine graphene to improve the properties of MAPbI₃, a popular perovskite material. Pristine graphene was combined with the metal halide perovskite to form the active layer of the solar cells. By analyzing the resulting graphene/perovskite material, it was observed that an average efficiency value of 15% under high-stress conditions was achieved when the optimal amount of graphene was used.

Saule Technologies has unveiled its new PESL (Perovskite Electronic Shelf Label) technology - the world’s first electronic price and advertising labels powered by perovskite photovoltaic cells. The devices enable wireless change of the messages displayed on it, and are said to have lifetimes of around 10 years.

Saule Tech has already released large-scale PSCs intended for building facades, PSC-powered blinds, and now, this new product from the IoT category – an intelligent system for handling electronic labels, powered by a perovskite solar cell instead of the traditional battery.