The research team led by Yang Yang, a Chinese-American professor of materials engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has made a groundbreaking discovery that significantly enhances the photoelectric conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells while also improving traditional silicon-based panels. This innovation addresses key challenges such as the high cost and environmental impact associated with rare earth elements used in conventional solar technology.
Silicon solar panels, although widely used, come with significant drawbacks. The production process is energy-intensive and leads to substantial pollution. As a result, researchers have been actively seeking alternatives that offer higher efficiency, lower environmental impact, and reduced costs. Perovskite solar cells, with a theoretical maximum efficiency of 50%, have emerged as a promising candidate.
After seven months of dedicated research, Yang Yang, along with postdoctoral fellows Chen Qi and Zhou Huaiping, successfully increased the photoelectric conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells from 3% to 16%. This advancement not only improves performance but also solves previous issues related to the trade-off between area and efficiency in perovskite panels.
In an interview with "World News," Yang Yang explained: “Perovskite solar cells use two different raw materials. The traditional method involves baking, but these materials have different boiling points, making it difficult to achieve even distribution. This results in poor electron transfer at the interface, which lowers overall efficiency.†To overcome this, his team used vapor deposition to “steam†one material into another, creating a uniform film that enhances conductivity. Although the current panel size is just one square meter, its performance far exceeds that of previously developed perovskite solar cells of similar dimensions. Yang Yang hopes to push the efficiency even further, aiming for 20%.
With over a decade of experience in solar cell research, Yang Yang emphasizes the need for better alternatives. “Silicon-based solar cells have high efficiency—around 18%—but their manufacturing process is very energy-consuming. It takes at least five years to recoup the energy used in production. Plus, silica is expensive and causes significant pollution, making it less than ideal,†he said. In contrast, perovskite cells offer superior performance and sustainability.
According to "World News," perovskite is an artificially synthesized ceramic oxide, meaning there are no concerns about resource depletion. Additionally, the simple manufacturing process of perovskite materials allows for much lower costs, opening up vast commercial potential. The findings from Yang Yang’s team were published in the January 15 issue of the *Journal of the American Chemical Society*.
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