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Mercapto-functionalized scaffold improves perovskite buried interfaces for tandem photovoltaics

Author

Listed:
  • Jianan Wang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Optics Valley Laboratory)

  • Shuaifeng Hu

    (University of Oxford
    Kyoto University)

  • He Zhu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Optics Valley Laboratory)

  • Sanwan Liu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Zhongyong Zhang

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Rui Chen

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Junke Wang

    (University of Oxford)

  • Chenyang Shi

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Jiaqi Zhang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Wentao Liu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Xia Lei

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Bin Liu

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Yongyan Pan

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Fumeng Ren

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Hasan Raza

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Qisen Zhou

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Sibo Li

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Longbin Qiu

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Guanhaojie Zheng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiaojun Qin

    (Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute)

  • Zhiguo Zhao

    (Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute)

  • Shuang Yang

    (East China University of Science and Technology)

  • Neng Li

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Jingbai Li

    (Shenzhen Polytechnic University)

  • Atsushi Wakamiya

    (Kyoto University)

  • Zonghao Liu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Optics Valley Laboratory)

  • Henry J. Snaith

    (University of Oxford)

  • Wei Chen

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Optics Valley Laboratory)

Abstract

Tandem photovoltaics hold great potential to surpass the efficiency limit of single-junction solar cells. Detrimental structural defects and chemical reactions at buried interfaces of subcells considerably impede the performance of integrated tandems. Here, we devise a mercapto-functionalized mesoporous silica layer as a superstructure at the buried interface to modulate the crystallisation, eliminate nanovoids, passivate defects, and suppress the oxidation of Sn(II) in the tin–lead perovskite films, contributing substantially to reduce charge carrier losses and improve stability in positive-intrinsic-negative structured devices. Consequently, the tin–lead perovskite single-junction cells show efficiency values of up to 23.7% with the best open-circuit voltage of 0.89 V. With the enhanced subcells, our double-junction tandems show efficiency values of 29.6% (certified 29.5% and steady-state 28.7%) and 24.7% on solar cells and 11.3 cm2 mini-modules, respectively. Encapsulated tandems maintain 90% of initial efficiency after 445 h of maximum power point tracking under simulated 1-sun illumination.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianan Wang & Shuaifeng Hu & He Zhu & Sanwan Liu & Zhongyong Zhang & Rui Chen & Junke Wang & Chenyang Shi & Jiaqi Zhang & Wentao Liu & Xia Lei & Bin Liu & Yongyan Pan & Fumeng Ren & Hasan Raza & Qisen, 2025. "Mercapto-functionalized scaffold improves perovskite buried interfaces for tandem photovoltaics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59891-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59891-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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