Researchers have uncovered the exact mechanism that causes new solar cells to break down in air, paving the way for a solution. Solar cells harness energy from the Sun and provide an alternative to non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels. However, they face challenges from costly manufacturing processes and poor efficiency the amount of sunlight converted to useable energy. Light-absorbing materials called organic lead halide perovskites are used in a new type of solar cells that have shown great promise. They are more flexible and cheaper to manufacture than traditional solar cells constructed of silicon. Perovskite cells degrade rapidly in natural conditions, greatly decreasing their performance in a matter of days.
Previously, a team led by scientists from the Department of Chemistry at Imperial discovered that this breakdown is due to the formation of 'superoxides' that attack the perovskite material. These superoxides are formed when light hitting the cells releases electrons, which react with the oxygen in the air. Lead researcher Dr Saif Haque from the Department of Chemistry at Imperial added: "We have now provided a pathway to understand this process at the atomic scale and allow the design of devices with improved stability." Currently, the only way of protecting perovskite cells from degradation by air and light is to encase them in glass, but doing this holds them back from fully functioning because of how flexible they are.
It was great to find this article and read about the new steps we've taken in moving away from fossil fuels. Once solar power has been perfected there should be no problem with our country and hopefully our world, moving away completely from fossil fuel energy.
Heres some other improvements that other researches have also made: CLICK HERE
Imperial College London. "Next-gen solar cells could be improved by atomic-scale redesign." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 May 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170512093947.htm>.
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