Perovskite Solar Cells Underwater: Surprising Efficiency Gains in Submerged Environments

Perovskite Solar Cells Underwater

In a remarkable breakthrough, a team of researchers in Italy has demonstrated that wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells can not only survive underwater environments but also deliver improved performance at shallow depths. This research opens the door to a new era of energy harvesting for underwater technologies and low-power devices. Read the original article on PV Magazine.

Breaking New Ground: Solar Cells Beneath the Surface

The team, led by Jessica Barrichello, set out to challenge the traditional view that perovskite materials are unsuitable for humid and underwater applications. Using a robust encapsulation process, they fabricated semitransparent perovskite solar cells and tested them in a controlled water tank environment at varying depths.

Interestingly, the solar cells exhibited an efficiency increase of up to 8% at a shallow depth of 0.5 cm, thanks to the anti-reflective properties of water and potentially lower temperatures that enhance performance. However, deeper immersion resulted in efficiency losses, underlining the delicate balance between water depth and light availability.

The Science Behind the Innovation

The researchers used a perovskite material called FaPbBr3 with a bandgap of 2.3 eV, optimized for underwater light conditions. Encapsulated with industrial-grade polyisobutylene (PIB), the cells maintained their integrity during submersion, passing rigorous lead-leakage and durability tests.

The 1 cm2 cells were constructed with a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate, tin oxide (SnO2) as the electron transport layer, and indium tin oxide (ITO) for the top electrode—designed to harvest light reflected within the aquatic environment.

Applications: Powering the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT)

The implications of this research are vast. From powering underwater sensors to enabling low-power IoUT devices at depths of up to 10 meters, these perovskite solar cells could play a crucial role in expanding underwater monitoring and sustainable energy solutions for marine environments.

Earlier studies have hinted at the potential of submerged photovoltaics. However, this research is among the first to show how perovskites, often thought vulnerable to moisture, can be engineered to thrive underwater.

Charting a Path Toward Sustainable Energy

This study highlights the transformative potential of materials science in redefining what’s possible for clean energy technologies. With scalable encapsulation techniques and innovative material choices, perovskite solar cells might soon light up even the depths of our oceans.

To dive deeper into the research, visit PV Magazine.

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Hashtags: #MaterialsScience #PerovskiteSolarCells #CleanEnergy #UnderwaterTech #RenewableEnergy #IoUT #QuantumServerNetworks #PWmat

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