In the relentless pursuit of efficient and sustainable energy solutions, perovskite solar cells have emerged as a groundbreaking technology with the potential to revolutionize the solar power industry. Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania, in partnership with an international network of scientists, have recently unveiled a significant breakthrough in the development of fully inorganic perovskite solar cells. This advancement not only achieves some of the highest efficiencies ever recorded but also addresses the critical challenge of long-term stability, a barrier that has hindered the commercial viability of these promising materials.
Perovskite solar cells are distinctive for their lightweight, thin-film, and flexible attributes, combined with the use of relatively inexpensive materials compared to traditional silicon-based solar cells. These characteristics position perovskite cells as a versatile alternative that could potentially reduce production costs and expand the range of applications. However, despite these advantages, perovskite solar cells have been plagued by rapid degradation, particularly when exposed to environmental stressors such as humidity, temperature fluctuations, and pressure changes. This degradation results in a swift decline in their efficiency and material integrity, restricting their practical deployment at scale.
A central focus of ongoing research has been to enhance the stability of perovskite materials to ensure prolonged operational lifetimes akin to commercial silicon solar cells. One pivotal approach involves surface passivation, a technique that mitigates defects at the perovskite interface, thereby bolstering resistance to environmental factors. Passivation effectively renders the perovskite surface chemically inert and less susceptible to degradation induced during manufacturing or operation. In hybrid perovskites, which feature a molecularly thin two-dimensional (2D) layer atop a three-dimensional (3D) perovskite framework, passivation has already proved successful, improving both efficiency and longevity by protecting against moisture ingress.
However, the translation of this strategy to fully inorganic perovskite systems has remained elusive. The major obstacle arises from the inherent incompatibility between the 2D layers and the inorganic perovskite surface; these layers typically fail to adhere adequately, preventing the formation of a stable protective interface. This limitation has historically curtailed efforts to enhance inorganic perovskites, which otherwise excel in thermal and chemical stability over their hybrid counterparts.
Addressing this complex challenge, the KTU-led research team innovated by synthesizing perfluorinated 2D ammonium cations within their laboratory. The introduction of fluorine atoms, known for their high electronegativity, alters the electronic properties of the ammonium groups, thereby facilitating stronger hydrogen bonds with the lead iodide fragments composing the perovskite lattice. This chemical modification enables the successful formation of a durable 2D layer that firmly attaches to the 3D inorganic perovskite surface.
The establishment of this novel 2D/3D heterostructure is a remarkable milestone. It defies previous assumptions that such stable interfaces were unattainable in purely inorganic perovskite systems. The resulting heterostructures exhibit remarkable thermal stability and mechanical robustness, enduring high-temperature conditions without compromising their structural integrity. This discovery represents a profound advancement in material chemistry, significantly expanding the toolkit available for engineering next-generation solar technologies.
Integrating this innovative passivation framework into photovoltaic devices, the research team achieved unprecedented solar energy conversion efficiencies exceeding 21 percent in fully inorganic perovskite solar cells. Beyond small-scale cells, they also fabricated perovskite mini-modules with active areas more than 300 times larger than typical laboratory samples, which attained nearly 20 percent efficiency. This scale-up demonstrates the practical feasibility of the technology for commercial applications, overcoming a common hurdle in solar cell research.
Stability testing further underscored the robustness of these solar modules. Subjected to continuous illumination at elevated temperatures of 85°C for over 950 hours, the devices maintained stable operation without significant efficiency loss. While such temperatures exceed typical real-world solar cell operating conditions, these rigorous tests adhere to internationally recognized standards, serving as critical benchmarks for durability. The results are indicative of longevity comparable to that of commercially deployed silicon solar cells, reinforcing confidence in the potential market readiness of this technology.
The implications of this research reach beyond incremental performance improvements. By demonstrating that fully inorganic perovskite solar cells can achieve both high efficiency and extended operational lifetimes, the KTU-led team advances the field towards the commercialization of perovskite-based photovoltaics. Their work, published in the esteemed journal Nature Energy, reflects a synthesis of sophisticated chemical engineering and applied materials science, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary energy research.
This pioneering study underscores the significance of precise chemical modifications at the molecular level to overcome long-standing material challenges. The ability to engineer passivation layers that firmly adhere to inorganic perovskite surfaces introduces new avenues for designing solar cells capable of enduring diverse environmental stresses, ultimately broadening the applicability of perovskite photovoltaics across different climatic conditions and use cases.
Moreover, the success of assembling stable 2D/3D heterostructures suggests parallel opportunities in other optoelectronic devices where interface stability is critical. The methodologies developed here could inspire innovations in light-emitting diodes, sensors, and photodetectors, showcasing the broader impact of the findings within the vast realm of semiconductor research.
As the global demand for clean and renewable energy intensifies, advancements such as those achieved by the KTU research consortium bring us closer to realizing practical, scalable, and economically viable solar technologies. Fully inorganic perovskite solar cells, fortified with strategically engineered passivation layers, stand poised to complement or even surpass traditional photovoltaic systems, accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy future.
The journey from laboratory discovery to real-world implementation involves continuous refinement and validation under diverse operational conditions. Nonetheless, the markers set by this research define a promising trajectory, characterized by enhanced efficiency metrics, remarkable stability, and scalable manufacturing potential, all crucial parameters as the solar industry confronts the growing challenges of climate change and energy security.
In summary, the fusion of chemical ingenuity and photovoltaic engineering demonstrated by the KTU team is a testament to the transformative power of targeted materials science. By overcoming the fundamental obstacle of perovskite instability through innovative surface passivation, they have carved a new path for fully inorganic perovskite solar cells, potentially reshaping the solar energy landscape in the years to come.
Subject of Research: Fully inorganic perovskite solar cells with enhanced efficiency and stability through novel 2D/3D heterostructure passivation.
Article Title: Cation interdiffusion control for 2D/3D heterostructure formation and stabilization in inorganic perovskite solar modules
News Publication Date: 16-Jul-2025
Web References: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-025-01817-6
References:
Rakštys, K. et al. “Cation interdiffusion control for 2D/3D heterostructure formation and stabilization in inorganic perovskite solar modules,” Nature Energy, 2025.
Image Credits: KTU (Kaunas University of Technology)
Keywords
Perovskite solar cells, inorganic perovskites, solar cell stability, surface passivation, 2D/3D heterostructures, photovoltaic efficiency, renewable energy, materials chemistry, fluorinated ammonium cations, photovoltaic durability, solar modules, energy conversion technology
Tags: energy-efficient solar solutionsenvironmental impact on solar cellsfully inorganic perovskite advancementsinnovative solar energy materialsKaunas University of Technology researchlightweight flexible solar cellslong-term stability in solar materialsnext-generation solar technologyovercoming degradation in perovskiteperovskite solar cells commercializationreducing production costs for solar powersustainable energy innovations
