by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 19, 2025
Researchers on the Nationwide College of Singapore (NUS) have developed a vapour-deposition course of that considerably enhances the long-term and high-temperature stability of perovskite-silicon (Si) tandem photo voltaic cells. The work demonstrates vapour deposition on industrial micrometre-textured silicon wafers, matching the wafer buildings utilized in business photo voltaic manufacturing and shifting tandem gadgets nearer to real-world deployment.
The method permits conformal, high-quality perovskite layers on micrometre-scale textured silicon wafers, assembly a key requirement for mass manufacturing. The tandem cells obtain power-conversion efficiencies above 30 per cent and preserve operational stability past 2,000 hours, together with T90 lifetimes of greater than 1,400 hours at 85 levels Celsius underneath 1-sun illumination, akin to 1,000 watts per sq. metre. These efficiency and stability metrics place the gadgets among the many most sturdy perovskite-Si tandem photo voltaic cells reported and point out a path to business photovoltaic modules.
The analysis staff is led by Assistant Professor Hou Yi, a Presidential Younger Professor within the Division of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering on the NUS Faculty of Design and Engineering and Head of the Perovskite-based Multijunction Photo voltaic Cells Group on the Photo voltaic Vitality Analysis Institute of Singapore (SERIS). The outcomes are reported within the journal Science in a paper printed on 19 December 2025.
For rooftop, utility-scale, and industrial photo voltaic installations, tandem cells should face up to extended publicity to excessive temperatures, humidity, and robust daylight. Attaining such sturdiness on industrial textured silicon wafers, somewhat than specialised laboratory substrates, is important for manufacturing and certification. Though vapour deposition has been seen as an industry-compatible method, it had not beforehand yielded secure, high-quality perovskite movies on true industrial silicon with giant floor textures. By demonstrating this mix, the NUS staff addresses a central barrier to manufacturing and reveals that the gadgets can attain the high-temperature stability wanted for deployment.
“Attaining each excessive effectivity and long-term sturdiness on industrial textured silicon is important for tandems to turn out to be commercially viable,” mentioned Asst Prof Hou.
Throughout vapour deposition, natural perovskite precursor molecules sometimes have issue adsorbing evenly onto the steep pyramid textures attribute of business silicon wafers, which ends up in poor movie formation and speedy degradation underneath warmth. The NUS staff designed a specialised molecule that binds to the silicon floor and promotes adsorption of natural precursors throughout deposition, supporting easy perovskite movie development with the meant composition. This molecular technique improves movie high quality throughout the textured floor and contributes to the gadgets’ operational stability.
The ensuing vapour-deposited tandem gadgets present sturdy thermal endurance. They function stably for nicely over 1,000 hours underneath steady illumination and retain efficiency throughout prolonged publicity at 85 levels Celsius, one of many demanding accelerated ageing checks used within the photo voltaic sector. Such high-temperature stability in perovskite-based tandem cells stays unusual and is extra notable as a result of it’s demonstrated on industrial textured wafers utilizing a scalable course of.
“With vapour-deposited perovskites, we’re addressing two elementary challenges at one go: compatibility with actual industrial silicon wafers and secure operation underneath warmth,” mentioned Asst Prof Hou. “That is the primary proof of vapour-grown perovskite tandem cells reaching the required sturdiness for business deployment, bringing us nearer to sensible and dependable tandem photo voltaic modules.”
The staff plans to scale the vapour-deposition method from small-area check cells to large-area tandem modules and to combine the method into pilot manufacturing strains. “Our subsequent part is to show full-size, sturdy tandem modules underneath actual working circumstances,” mentioned Asst Prof Hou. “It will carry us a step nearer to business deployment.”
Analysis Report:Optimal perovskite vapor partitioning on textured silicon for high-stability tandem solar cells
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