Ambient-Processed Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cells from Environmentally Benign Solvents
Research Poster Physical Sciences & Mathematics 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Cyril Chu Fubin Kumachang
Exhibition Number 156
Abstract
Interest in metal halide perovskite photovoltaics (MHP-PVs) has surged due to their potential for next-generation solar energy technologies. MHPs exhibit exceptional optical and electronic properties like tunable bandgaps and high power conversion efficiencies (PCE), but challenges such as instability and toxicity (Lead & hazardous Solvents) hinder commercialization. N, N dimethylformamide (DMF) in combination with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been the most widely used solvent system for fabricating high-efficiency perovskite devices. However, DMF is toxic and has been banned in some regions, making it imperative to explore safer alternatives. This work investigates DMSO as a standalone solvent for perovskite thin film deposition using ambient processing – a challenging but crucial step toward scalable, cost-effective fabrication. We utilized isopropanol (IPA) as an anti-solvent to improve film formation. While DMSO-based devices achieved lower power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) compared to DMF:DMSO devices (14.7% vs. 21.3%), they exhibited superior light utilization efficiency (LUE) values, reaching 4.03 in the best-performing DMSO-only device. This enhanced LUE, underscores the potential of DMSO-only devices for semitransparent applications such as agrivoltaics, building-integrated photovoltaics and self-powered electronics. By combining enhanced optical performance with the sustainable advantage of DMSO, this study presents a viable path toward environmentally friendly PSCs for next-generation energy solutions.
Importance
The development of efficient, environmentally friendly solar cells is essential for advancing clean energy solutions. This research addresses the urgent need to replace toxic solvents like dimethylformamide (DMF), commonly used in perovskite solar cell fabrication, with safer alternatives such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). By achieving successful ambient processing – a crucial step for scalable and cost-effective manufacturing – this work demonstrates the feasibility of producing efficient, semitransparent solar cells without compromising performance. The improved light utilization efficiency (LUE) and average visible transmittance (AVT) in DMSO-based devices position them as strong candidates for applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics, where transparency and efficiency are essential. This study contributes to the development of safer, more sustainable photovoltaic technologies.