KAUST Laboratory Achieves Record-Breaking Solar Cell Efficiency With New Molecular Additive

The KAUST Photovoltaics Laboratory, led by Professor Stefaan De Wolf, has made a groundbreaking advancement in solar cell technology. Their latest research demonstrates that incorporating tetrahydrotriazinium into perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells significantly enhances both performance and stability.

The study, recently published in Science, reveals that tetrahydrotriazinium boosts power conversion efficiency to 33.7% and extends the cells’ operational stability. This innovation was tested under extreme conditions designed to replicate the intense light and heat typical of the Arabian Peninsula, confirming the cells’ robustness in some of the harshest environments.

The addition of tetrahydrotriazinium, a molecule previously challenging to synthesize, improves the crystal structure of perovskite films by increasing hydrogen bonds. This enhancement reduces halide ion segregation within the crystal lattice, thus improving both power conversion efficiency and phase stability.

Previously, the molecule’s synthesis was complex, but recent advancements involving methylenediammonium chloride have facilitated its integration into perovskite lattices. The KAUST team’s results highlight a substantial improvement over cells manufactured without this additive, showing more durability after 1500 hours of rigorous testing.

While the lab-scale results are promising, Professor De Wolf noted that industry collaboration is essential for scaling these findings to commercial production. “Our laboratory efforts to enhance performance at a lower cost are scientifically significant,” De Wolf said. “However, to transition these improvements to a larger scale, we need industrial partners.”

The research was spearheaded by Esma Ugur, a leading scientist on the project, who will continue her work at LMU Munich starting in 2025. This advancement marks a critical step toward more efficient and durable solar energy solutions, potentially transforming the renewable energy landscape.