Research Paper: Pressure Engineering to Enable Improved Stability and Performance of Metal Halide Perovskite Photovoltaics
Summary
This study demonstrates that pressure engineering (15–30 kPa) significantly enhances metal halide perovskite (MHP) film thermal stability and device performance. Key findings show that external pressure, applied during thermal aging, preserves the perovskite phase and significantly reduces mobile ion concentration (No), preventing thermal degradation. Incorporated into encapsulation, applied pressure markedly reduced degradation under 1 sun illumination and damp heat, showing superior photoluminescence stability. For perovskite solar cells (PSCs), 30.4 kPa during UV-curable resin lamination improved power conversion efficiency (PCE), primarily via enhanced fill factor and open-circuit voltage. This is attributed to better interfacial contact and healing of voids/defects at buried interfaces.
Why it matters
These findings are crucial for overcoming PSC instability, a major barrier to widespread adoption. By showing how manufacturing pressure improves thermal stability, reduces ion migration, and enhances performance, this research offers a scalable, practical approach for more durable MHP solar modules. This has significant implications for manufacturing-scale deployment and next-generation photovoltaic reliability.
How Fluxim tools used
The PAIOS platform (Fluxim, Switzerland) was instrumental for measuring the mobile ion concentration (No) in MHP films. This direct measurement allowed researchers to quantify how applied pressure reduced ion migration over time under thermal aging, providing key evidence for the improved thermal stability observed. PAIOS's capability to accurately track these ionic properties was critical to understanding the mechanism behind pressure-induced stability enhancements.
Publication Details
Burgard, E., Penukula, S., Casareto, M. and Rolston, N. (2025), Pressure Engineering to Enable Improved Stability and Performance of Metal Halide Perovskite Photovoltaics. Molecules, 30: 1292. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30061292