A simpler solution for fabricating stable perovskite solar cells overcomes the key bottleneck to large-scale production and commercialization of this renewable-energy technology, which has remained out of reach for more than a decade.

Researchers demonstrated the new approach through two mini modules that reached high levels of converting sunlight to power with greatly extended operational lifetimes. Since the process is facile and low cost, it could be easily adapted to scalable fabrication in industrial settings.

A perovskite is any material with a particular crystal structure similar to the mineral perovskite. Perovskites can be engineered and fabricated in extremely thin films, which makes them useful for solar photovoltaic cells. Perovskite photovoltaics, seen as a viable competitor to the familiar silicon-based photovoltaics on the market for decades, have been a highly anticipated emerging technology over the last decade. Commercialization has been slowed by the lack of a solution to scaling up production of high-efficiency perovskite solar cell modules from the benchtop to the factory floor.

The team invented a one-step spin coating method by introducing sulfolane as an additive in the perovskite precursor, or the liquid material that creates the perovskite crystal through a chemical reaction. As in other fabrication methods, that crystal is then deposited on a substrate. The new process allowed the team to produce high-yield, large-area photovoltaic devices that are highly efficient in creating power from sunlight. These perovskite solar cells also have a long operational lifetime.

Through a simple dipping method, the team was able to deposit a uniform, high-quality perovskite crystalline thin film covering a large active area in two mini modules, one of about 16 square centimeters and the other nearly 37 square centimeters. Fabricating uniform thin film across the entire photovoltaic module’s area is essential to device performance. The mini modules achieved a power conversion efficiency of 17.58 percent and 16.06 percent, respectively. The power conversion efficiency is a measure of how effectively sunlight is converted into electricity.

For other perovskite fabrication methods, one of the major roadblocks to industrial-scale fabrication is their narrow processing window — the time during which the film can be laid down on the substrate. To get a uniform crystalline film that’s well bonded to the layer below it, the deposition process has to be strictly controlled within a matter of seconds.

Using sulfolane in the perovskite precursor extends the processing window from 9 seconds to 90 seconds, forming highly crystalline, compact layers over a large area while being less dependent on the processing conditions. The sulfolane method can be easily adapted to existing industrial fabrication techniques, which helps to pave the path toward commercialization.

For more information, contact Charles Poling at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 505-257-8006.