Photovoltaic Efficiency Research Published in Nature

Trinity DPhil student Philippe Holzhey has had his research on photovoltaics published in Nature.

‘Water- and heat-activated dynamic passivation for perovskite photovoltaics’ describes a new a new process of passivation which enables perovskite solar cells to stay stable, enabling them to be more efficient for longer. The process marks a significant advancement in solar energy technology.

The research forms part of Philippe’s DPhil research and was undertaken by a team of researchers from Monash University, the University of Oxford, and the City University of Hong Kong; it outlines a new strategy to enhance the stability and performance of photovoltaic semiconductors through a mechanism described as “self-healing.” The new dynamic passivation method includes storage of passivating agents, which are slowly released during usage. Some of these new passivating agents can continuously heal the semiconductor and prevent new defects. The innovating agent the researchers developed dynamically heals the perovskite layer when exposed to environmental stressors such as moisture and heat, ensuring sustained performance and longevity in solar cell devices. 

This dynamic passivation is an innovative approach to tackling the challenge of semiconductor defects, and showed the possibility of reaching a new level of stability in perovskite photovoltaics. Normally, solar cell effects can only be healed during fabrication; the new dynamic passivation showed that newly evolving defects can also be healed during the operation of solar cells. Highly efficient, lightweight, and cheap, perovskite solar cells are expected to play a leading role in the future of solar energy production; making them more durable and understanding how to produce them on a larger scale is now a focus of global research.

Philippe Holzhey says of his research: ‘Given the severe consequences of climate change, we urgently need to change how we produce energy. Photovoltaics are one of the best ways to do that! They offer affordable energy wherever the sun is shining. However, the efficiency limit of current technologies is soon reached, and new materials are needed to increase their power conversion efficiency further.

‘Perovskite photovoltaics are ideally suited for that, but their operational stability is their biggest drawback. Over time, the perovskite cells degrade, and their efficiency decreases. Working on this dynamic passivation during my DPhil was an incredible opportunity. I am deeply grateful to my collaborators in Hong Kong and my supervisor for taking me on this journey! Also, Trinity's support was essential for its success, allowing me to work longer on the research.'

The full paper is online in Nature.