Chinese researchers have made a significant stride in addressing a fundamental flaw hindering the widespread adoption of perovskite solar cells: their inherent instability and rapid degradation under environmental stress. A team from the East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) has unveiled a novel ultrathin protective layer designed to dramatically extend the operational lifespan of these promising next-generation photovoltaic devices.
The Perovskite Promise and Its Core Challenge
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered immense interest in the renewable energy sector due to their high power conversion efficiency, low manufacturing costs, and versatile applications, including their potential for flexible, transparent, and ultra-thin designs. Unlike traditional silicon cells, PSCs can be integrated into diverse surfaces such as building facades, flexible charging mats, and even clothing or windows.
However, a critical drawback has plagued perovskite technology since its inception: its rapid degradation when exposed to elements like sunlight, heat, and moisture. A key mechanism behind this instability is the material’s tendency to expand and contract repeatedly under sunlight, similar to an inflating and deflating balloon. This repeated stress causes internal crystals to squeeze each other, generating destructive forces that lead to structural failure and a significant drop in efficiency over a short period, failing to meet the longevity requirements for practical commercial applications.
The Breakthrough: “Longevity Armor” for Durability
The ECUST research team, based in Shanghai, identified this mechanical stress and expansion as a primary cause of degradation. To counteract this, they developed an innovative “protective suit” or “longevity armor” for perovskite materials. This ultrathin layer is composed of graphene and a specialized transparent polymer.
Experiments have demonstrated that this “armor” significantly enhances the material’s stress resistance, reducing its expansion rate from 0.31 percent to a mere 0.08 percent. This substantial improvement translates into remarkable durability. Cells protected by this new material maintained an impressive 97 percent efficiency after 3,670 hours (approximately 153 days) of continuous operation under simulated real-world conditions, including intense light and high temperatures. This achievement sets a new benchmark for stable operation periods in perovskite cells, paving the way for their commercial viability. The findings of this breakthrough research were published in the prestigious journal Science.
Broader Chinese Contributions to Perovskite Stability
Beyond the ECUST breakthrough, Chinese researchers have been at the forefront of addressing various stability and efficiency challenges in perovskite technology:
Living Passivators
In a separate but related development, a team at the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) introduced a “living passivator” in July 2024. This innovative coating mimics sustained-release capsules, continuously releasing chemicals to heal defects caused by environmental stressors such as water and heat, which typically contribute to the degradation of perovskite solar cells during both manufacturing and operation. This technology achieved over 25% photovoltaic conversion efficiency and maintained operational stability for more than 1,000 hours in hot and humid conditions. The research was published in Nature.
Novel Hole-Transport Layers
Researchers at the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, unveiled a novel radical self-assembled molecular material in June 2025. This “double-radical self-assembled molecule” was developed to overcome performance bottlenecks and fabrication difficulties associated with the widely used organic self-assembled molecules in the hole-transport layer of perovskite solar cells. Devices incorporating this new material exhibited virtually no performance degradation after continuous operation for thousands of hours, and the technology has been efficiency-certified by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Lead Leakage and Defect Healing
A consortium of Chinese universities, including Shandong University of Science and Technology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao University, and Southeast University, developed a comprehensive method in June 2025 to block lead leakage and heal defects across all interfaces in perovskite solar cells. By utilizing a designed MOF (metal-organic framework) on the top surface and polyethyleneimine (PEI) at the buried interface, they enhanced efficiency and maintained stability, even after 1,200 hours of storage under high humidity and temperature.
Enhanced Crystallization and Environmental Stability
In April 2024, a research team involving the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Tsinghua University developed a multifunctional organic molecule called Hydantoin. This molecule was used to prepare perovskite solar cells with a photovoltaic conversion efficiency exceeding 25.66% (certified at 25.15%) and demonstrated excellent environmental stability, addressing challenges related to the complex crystallization process and lattice distortion in organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites.
Towards Commercialization
The significant advancements in durability and stability, particularly the ECUST team’s “longevity armor,” are crucial steps toward the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. The ECUST team has already initiated pilot trials with industry partners, signaling a move towards mass production. If successfully mass-produced, this technology has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector by enabling a wide array of new applications that integrate solar energy harvesting into everyday life, ultimately pushing the cost of solar power even further down.
