FURI | Summer 2024

Improving Perovskite Solar Cell Stability through Additives and Quenching

This research project focuses on analyzing and reducing defects in perovskite solar cells. Perovskites (PVSKs) are crystalline materials that follow an ABX3 formula. Halide perovskites are promising solar energy sources due to low-cost manufacturing and compositional tunability, but long-term stability remains a challenge. To overcome this, gellan gum, a thickener from the food industry, was added to the cesium formamidinium lead iodide (Cs0.2FA0.8PbI3) ink to improve consistency. Additionally, the samples were quenched with nitrogen gas during manufacturing to secure the correct crystal structure. Characterization through microscope images and photoluminescence analysis show that these adjustments were successful. Understanding defects in these cells guides future research on implementing PVSKs into functional power sources.