Conventional manufacturing processes for perovskite-silicon tandem cells rely on solvents, which present challenges due to their toxicity, the solubility of the starting materials and the homogeneity and compatibility of individual process steps. The Freiburg research team has now succeeded in completely circumventing these problems by developing a more sustainable and potentially more scalable manufacturing process.

The researchers led by Mohamed A. A. Mahmoud and Dr. Juliane Borchert produced the perovskite layer using physical vapor deposition (PVD) and other solvent-free, industrially scalable methods. To better understand crystal formation during deposition and the subsequent annealing process, the research team monitored the process in collaboration with the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg using in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, the researchers investigated the influence of the surface structure of silicon substrates on the formation of the perovskite layer.

As a result, the team succeeded in developing the world’s first perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell produced entirely without solvents. This achievement and the new insights into the crystallization processes form an important foundation for the further optimization of technology and its future industrial implementation.

Further information:

Press release from the University of Freiburg: link

Article in the journal Joule: Link