Boosting Perovskite Solar Cell Efficiency with Innovative Conductive Adhesive Ink

A team from Sharif University of Technology in Iran, led by scientists, has developed an innovative conductive adhesive ink designed to boost the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells. Nima Taghavinia, the project's lead researcher, shared with pv magazine that this development focuses on affordability and simplicity, making it suitable for large-scale implementations.

 

The newly created adhesive consists of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a polymer favored for its cost-effectiveness, robust mechanical attributes, and excellent electrical and optical properties. Additionally, PMMA is known for its stability under thermal and environmental conditions, light weight, and high transparency to light, making it a prime substitute for glass in various applications. In the solar cells, it serves as an interfacial layer situated between the hole transport layer (HTL), composed of copper indium sulfide (CuInS2) nanoparticles, and a top layer made of highly conductive carbon black (HCCB) embedded in carbon foil.

 

This cell structure also includes a base of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), a carbon–titanium dioxide (c/TiO2) electron transport layer (ETL), a TiO2 mesoporous layer, and the perovskite absorber. According to the researchers, previous configurations without this new adhesive proved to be unstable, often resulting in the detachment of the carbon electrodes post-measurement, highlighting the significance of this innovation in enhancing cell durability and performance.

 

The research team at Sharif University of Technology described their method of applying the conductive adhesive ink to enhance the construction of perovskite solar cells. They explained that the ink was drop-casted onto a section of carbon foil measuring 0.27 cm². This foil was then positioned onto a pre-prepared stack that included FTO glass, carbon-titanium dioxide, mesoporous TiO2, perovskite, and CuInS2 layers. The configuration ensured that the adhesive ink came in direct contact with the HTL.

 

Extensive testing revealed that the key to successful and durable adhesion of the carbon foil to the solar cell was the inclusion of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in the adhesive. The addition of CuInS2 nanoparticles into the mix not only ensured consistency with the hole transport layer but also facilitated the hole transfer process, critical for the cell's efficiency.

 

The researchers highlighted significant findings in their study: "Our results showed that adding 2% weight of highly conductive carbon black (HCCB) nanoparticles to the PMMA/CuInS2 mixture at a ratio of 1:3 optimized the conductivity of the adhesive interfacial layer. This adjustment allowed the solar cell to achieve a maximum efficiency of 17.2%, closely rivaling the 18.2% efficiency of traditional gold-based cells. Furthermore, the carbon-laminated electrode approach resulted in a remarkable long-term stability of about 92% after 54 days of storage, marking a 17% improvement over the stability of gold-based counterparts."

 

These insights are detailed in their publication titled "A Conductive Adhesive Ink for Carbon-Laminated Perovskite Solar Cells with Enhanced Stability and High Efficiency," available in the journal Solar Energy.

 

Advancing Clean Energy: ACE Battery's Commitment to Innovation and Sustainability

 

At ACE Battery, we closely monitor cutting-edge developments like the conductive adhesive ink created by Sharif University of Technology, reflecting our commitment to leading the global energy transition through innovative solutions. As a key player in the entire lithium-ion battery industry chain, we focus on delivering digital and intelligent energy storage solutions that are sustainable and efficient. Our extensive network and robust R&D efforts ensure that we stay at the forefront of technology, ready to adapt and integrate advances that align with our vision of clean energy. Learn more about our initiatives  and join ACE Battery in driving the future of energy.