Perovskite materials for tandem solar cells

Perovskite materials have emerged as a transformative component in tandem solar cells, offering unprecedented power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). Recent studies have demonstrated perovskite-silicon tandem cells achieving PCEs exceeding 33.1%, a significant leap from the 29.4% record set in 2022. This improvement is attributed to advancements in perovskite film quality, interface engineering, and spectral management. For instance, the incorporation of 2D/3D heterostructures has reduced non-radiative recombination losses, while optimized anti-reflective coatings have enhanced light harvesting. These innovations position perovskite-based tandems as a viable pathway to surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit for single-junction solar cells.

The stability of perovskite materials remains a critical challenge, yet recent breakthroughs have extended operational lifetimes to over 1,500 hours under continuous illumination at 85°C. Researchers have achieved this by introducing hydrophobic molecular additives such as phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) and employing encapsulation techniques using atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al₂O₃. Additionally, the integration of inorganic charge transport layers like NiOₓ and SnO₂ has mitigated ion migration and degradation mechanisms. These advancements have brought perovskite tandems closer to commercial viability, with degradation rates now comparable to those of silicon heterojunction cells.

Scalability and manufacturing costs are pivotal for the widespread adoption of perovskite tandem solar cells. Recent developments in slot-die coating and vapor-assisted crystallization have enabled large-area (>400 cm²) perovskite layers with uniform morphology and minimal defects. The cost of perovskite tandems is projected to drop below $0.20/W by 2030, driven by low-temperature processing (<150°C) and reduced material usage compared to traditional III-V multijunction cells. Furthermore, the use of lead-free perovskites such as Cs₂AgBiBr₆ has addressed environmental concerns while maintaining PCEs above 18% in tandem configurations.

The integration of perovskites with other emerging photovoltaic technologies has opened new avenues for efficiency enhancement. For example, combining perovskites with organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has yielded tandem cells with PCEs exceeding 25%, leveraging complementary absorption spectra and solution-processable fabrication methods. Similarly, hybrid perovskite-CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) tandems have achieved PCEs of 28.7%, benefiting from the tunable bandgaps of both materials. These hybrid approaches highlight the versatility of perovskites in addressing diverse energy harvesting challenges.

Finally, computational modeling and machine learning are accelerating the discovery of novel perovskite compositions and device architectures. High-throughput screening of over 10,000 candidate materials has identified promising lead-free alternatives such as Cs₂TiBr₆ and MASnI₃ with bandgaps optimized for tandem applications. Machine learning algorithms have also predicted optimal layer thicknesses and interface designs, reducing experimental trial-and-error cycles by up to 70%. These tools are driving rapid innovation, paving the way for next-generation perovskite tandem solar cells with efficiencies approaching 40%.

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