The shift to clean energy hinges not only on producing power cheaply, but on keeping the technology working reliably for decades. This is where solar’s younger, high-performing cousin — perovskite solar cells — has struggled. These cells can be more efficient to produce than silicon panels, but they’re notorious for degrading quickly when exposed to moisture, heat, and light.
A team in Shanghai has now demonstrated a way to combine two different structures of perovskites—known as “2D” and “3D” forms—to create solar cells that last longer, without giving up their high efficiency. This hybrid approach could bring perovskites closer to the real-world durability needed to power homes, businesses, and industries.
The 2D–3D Advantage
In perovskite research, “2D” and “3D” describe how the material’s crystal layers are arranged.
- 3D perovskites absorb light exceptionally well and convert it to electricity efficiently, but they are chemically unstable.
- 2D perovskites are much more stable because their layered structure resists moisture and heat, but they don’t conduct electricity as efficiently.
By stacking ultra-thin 2D layers onto the surface of a 3D perovskite, the researchers created a protective skin that shields the more fragile 3D material from environmental damage. This approach slows down the chemical reactions that cause performance to fade, while still letting sunlight in and electricity out.
What’s New Here
While scientists have tried layering before, this team used a precise interface engineering technique that controls how the two structures bond at the molecular level. This fine control prevents defects where the layers meet—a common problem that can trap charges and waste energy.
The result is a solar cell that maintains over 90% of its original efficiency after 1,000 hours in accelerated ageing tests. For perovskites, this is a significant step forward in stability.
Why It Matters for the Energy Transition
Perovskites are attractive because they can be manufactured at lower temperatures, on flexible surfaces, and potentially in roll-to-roll processes—making them cheaper and lighter than silicon. But without durability, these advantages are moot.
If this hybrid 2D–3D design can be scaled up for mass production, it could lead to affordable, high-efficiency solar panels that last long enough to compete directly with silicon in rooftops, solar farms, and even building-integrated systems like solar windows.
Durable perovskites could also unlock new uses where weight matters—such as on vehicles, portable power systems, or temporary installations in disaster relief.
The Road Ahead
Challenges remain in proving that lab-scale stability translates into years of outdoor operation, and in ensuring the materials and processes are safe, sustainable, and scalable. But the Shanghai team’s results add momentum to a field already pushing the boundaries of solar efficiency.
In short: if perovskites are the future of solar, advances like this are what will make that future last.
Source
Interface engineering of 2D/3D perovskite heterostructures for improved stability and efficiency, Advanced Energy Materials, 2025-05-21.
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