(Press-News.org) Regular perovskite solar cells (PSCs)—which place the electron-transport layer beneath the perovskite absorber and the hole-transport layer on top—have limitations with respect to large-scale manufacturing and stability. In contrast, inverted PSCs—which reverse the positions of the electron- and hole-transport layers—boast high power conversion potential and good compatibility with scalable solution processing techniques, making them a promising photovoltaic technology.
Unfortunately, the performance and long-term stability of inverted PSCs have long been constrained by unregulated microscopic structures and electronic defects at the critical bottom interface, defined as the buried interface, where the perovskite layer interfaces with the hole-transport layer.
To address this problem, a research team from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a crystal-solvate (CSV) pre-seeding method that enables precise regulation of the bottom interface, paving the way for the development of high-efficiency, large-area perovskite photovoltaic modules.
The study was published in Nature Synthesis on February 27.
The new method involves pre-depositing custom-designed low-dimensional halide crystal-solvate seeds—with the chemical formula PDPbI4·DMSO—on self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-modified substrates. These CSV nanocrystals act as a structural template for the subsequent growth of perovskite crystals.
The anisotropic, rod-shaped CSV nanocrystals significantly enhance the wettability of the hydrophobic SAM surface, ensuring the uniform spreading of the perovskite precursor solution. Notably, during the crystallization process, these pre-seeded nanocrystals serve as abundant heterogeneous nucleation sites, thereby effectively accelerating the formation of perovskite crystals.
A core innovation of the strategy lies in the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent molecules locked within the CSV crystal structure. During thermal annealing, these molecules are released in a controlled manner, creating a novel "lattice-confined solvent annealing" microenvironment at the bottom interface. This mild in situ solvent atmosphere facilitates grain reorganization and growth, forming a synergistic effect with seed-induced crystallization.
"We have developed an integrated approach that simultaneously addresses crystallization regulation and interface stabilization," said Dr. SUN Xiuhong, co-first author of the study. "This strategy delivers good performance even at buried interfaces, which are notoriously challenging to precisely control."
The new technology eliminates interfacial voids and smooths grain boundary grooves, while ultimately producing a dense, highly oriented region of the perovskite film (the perovskite "bottom layer") with significantly improved electronic properties and photothermal stability.
Additionally, the team integrated the CSV pre-seeding strategy with a slot-die coating process, successfully fabricating a perovskite solar mini-module with an aperture area of 49.91 cm² that achieves a high power conversion efficiency of 23.15%. Importantly, the efficiency loss between small-area cells and the mini-module is less than 3%—a figure that outperforms many previously reported results.
"This technology overcomes the longstanding scaling bottleneck caused by size effects through the combination of induced crystallization and buried interface restoration," said Prof. PANG Shuping. "Beyond its direct application in perovskite photovoltaics, the crystal-solvate pre-seeding concept establishes a versatile material platform: By tuning organic cations and solvent molecules, a diverse library of CSV materials can be designed, opening up a new paradigm for interface engineering in perovskite photovoltaics and other soft-lattice semiconductor optoelectronic devices alike."
END
Researchers develop new strategy for improving inverted perovskite solar cells
2026-02-27
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Yes! The role of YAP and CTGF as potential therapeutic targets for preventing severe liver disease
2026-02-27
Osaka, Japan – The long-term stasis of blood in the liver, known as chronic liver congestion, can lead to a range of diseases – some of which are fatal. However, identifying how liver congestion causes these diseases has remained unclear, causing difficulty in proposing the best treatment pathway.
In a study recently published in Gastroenterology, Japanese researchers have identified a molecular pathway connecting liver congestion to liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and liver tumorigenesis. This finding has important implications for potential therapies.
Chronic liver congestion is also ...
Pancreatic cancer may begin hiding from the immune system earlier than we thought
2026-02-27
A new study suggests that pancreatic cancer may start preparing to “hide” from the immune system long before the disease becomes full-blown cancer. Researchers found that very early, precancerous cells in the pancreas don’t spread randomly, they gather into specific clusters and create small “neighborhoods” inside the tissue. These early cell groups also seem to communicate directly with nearby immune cells in ways that may weaken the body’s ability to fight them. Using advanced tools that characterize cells at the molecular level in tissue section of the pancreas, the team discovered that immune-suppressing signals appear at these ...
Robotic wing inspired by nature delivers leap in underwater stability
2026-02-27
Researchers have taken inspiration from nature to create a robotic wing that can sense and adapt to changes in water to deliver unparalleled stability.
Drawing on the adaptive movements of birds and fish, the wing senses disturbances in the flow of water and automatically changes its shape to adjust to these.
The team, led by the University of Southampton, hope the soft robotics and e-skin they’ve pioneered could help close the gap in manoeuvrability and efficiency between robots and animals.
In ...
A clinical reveals that aniridia causes a progressive loss of corneal sensitivity
2026-02-27
Congenital aniridia is a rare disease caused, in most cases, by mutations in the PAX6 gene, which is essential for the development of ocular structures. Although the most visible feature is the total or partial absence of the iris, its effects go far beyond this, as those affected often experience focusing problems, photophobia, and various complications that may worsen over time. Now, a clinical study led by the Ocular Neurobiology Group at the Institute for Neurosciences (IN), a joint center of Miguel Hernández University ...
Fossil amber reveals the secret lives of Cretaceous ants
2026-02-27
Tiny insects trapped in amber could tell us a great deal about their roles in past ecosystems: pollinators, parasites, predators, and prey. But how many of the insects preserved alongside each other reflect interactions during life, and how many are just unlucky coincidences? Scientists in Spain scrutinized six key samples which preserve now-extinct insects unusually well, to try to learn more about the ants that lived at the same time as the dinosaurs.
“Amber inclusions are representative of possible interactions between different organisms shaping the environment,” explained Dr Jose de la Fuente of the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, Spain, lead author ...
Predicting extreme rainfall through novel spatial modeling
2026-02-27
Japan is an archipelago with diverse climate zones and complex topography that is prone to heavy rain and flooding. Add the growing effects of global warming, these disaster risks are heightened with an increased frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events. Thus, predicting when and where these events might strike is crucial for future-proofing vulnerable infrastructure, especially in ...
The Lancet: First-ever in-utero stem cell therapy for fetal spina bifida repair is safe, study finds
2026-02-27
A phase 1 clinical trial published in The Lancet has shown that combining stem cell therapy with standard fetal surgery before birth is a safe and promising approach to treat myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida. This is the first time live stem cells have been used on a fetus’ damaged spine, which could potentially lead to better health outcomes for babies compared to traditional fetal surgery.
Spina bifida is a congenital condition in which the spinal cord does not develop properly, leaving part of it exposed. This can cause lifelong health challenges, including paralysis, difficulty walking, and issues with bladder and ...
Nanoplastics can interact with Salmonella to affect food safety, study shows
2026-02-26
URBANA, Ill. – Plastic products are ubiquitous in our food supply chain, shedding microplastics into every part of the human ecosystem. As they degrade, microplastics break down into even smaller fragments called nanoplastics — tiny particles that can affect biological molecules in ways not fully understood. In a new study, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examined what happens when nanoplastics interact with Salmonella, potentially affecting food safety and human health.
“Salmonella enterica is a major foodborne ...
Eric Moore, M.D., elected to Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees
2026-02-26
JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Eric Moore, M.D., medical director of Mayo Clinic International and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology in Rochester, was elected to the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees at its quarterly meeting on Feb. 20.
"Dr. Moore is an internationally respected leader whose commitment to patients and strategic vision will be a tremendous asset to our Board of Trustees," says Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., president and CEO, Mayo Clinic. “His extensive experience and collaborative approach will help guide our strategic ...
NYU named “research powerhouse” in new analysis
2026-02-26
New York University is recognized as one of the 70 top research institutions consistently home to the world’s most-cited researchers over the past five years. The analysis of “research powerhouses,” led by the analytics company Clarivate, demonstrates where research impact is most concentrated.
Since 2001, Clarivate has identified “highly cited researchers”—a group of scientists and social scientists whose research published over the last decade has demonstrated ...