A New Way to Make Perovskite Solar Cells More Stable — And Why It Matters

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells are known for their high efficiency, lightweight design, and low production cost. But one major challenge remains: long-term stability. These solar cells often degrade when exposed to heat or moisture, limiting their real-world use.

Now, researchers have found a surprisingly simple way to make perovskite solar cells stronger and longer-lasting — by adding more variety to their chemical makeup. This method, called high-entropy engineering, mixes five or more types of organic materials (called cations) into a single perovskite structure. The result? Solar cells that are more stable, more uniform, and just as efficient.

Using this approach, scientists achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCE) as high as 25.7% — one of the best performances ever reported for perovskite devices. These high-entropy perovskite solar cells could lead to more reliable and scalable solar technology in the near future.

The Promise — And Problem — of Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells are changing the way we think about solar power. They’re cheap to make, work well in low light, and can be printed onto flexible surfaces. But they have one big weakness: they tend to break down over time, especially in hot or humid environments.

The issue comes down to the materials used in the perovskite layer — usually just one or two types of molecules. This simplicity makes the structure unstable and prone to forming defects, especially during manufacturing.

The Unexpected Solution: Add More Ingredients

In a surprising twist, scientists discovered that using more types of cations — instead of fewer — can actually make perovskite materials stronger and more stable. This concept, borrowed from metals and ceramics, is known as high-entropy engineering.

In the case of solar cells, that means mixing five or more organic cations together to create what’s called a high-entropy hybrid perovskite (HEHP). Each molecule plays a slightly different role, but together, they form a more stable and uniform crystal structure.

This increased “disorder” (or entropy) helps prevent the material from separating or degrading, which improves both efficiency and lifespan.

The Science: Why High Entropy Works

Normally, solar materials like perovskite are vulnerable to things like moisture, heat, and structural stress. But in high-entropy perovskites, the mix of molecules increases configurational entropy — a kind of built-in disorder that actually strengthens the material.

This entropy:

• Prevents the formation of weak spots or grain boundaries
• Helps maintain a smooth, single-phase structure
• Stabilizes the crystal so it doesn’t fall apart over time

And the results speak for themselves: These HEHP cells not only last longer but also deliver higher power output than traditional perovskite cells.

A Big Leap in Performance

Using this method, researchers built inverted perovskite solar cells that reached a PCE of 25.7% — a level normally reserved for the most advanced perovskite designs.

Even more impressive, these cells stayed stable for over 5,000 hours under continuous light and heat. That’s a major step forward in the long-term durability of perovskite solar cells.

And because these cells can be made using solution-based methods, they’re also ideal for large-scale, low-cost manufacturing.

Why This Matters

This discovery changes the way we approach perovskite design. Instead of focusing only on reducing defects or improving carrier lifetimes, it shows the power of entropy-driven design to solve multiple problems at once — including structural integrity, moisture resistance, and long-term stability.

In short: We can now build stronger, more reliable perovskite solar cells without sacrificing efficiency.

What’s Next?

Scaling Up Production

Future work will focus on scaling up this high-entropy approach for large solar panels. The ability to maintain uniform crystal growth across large surfaces is key to commercial success.

Improving Interfaces

Researchers are also working to improve how these HEHP materials interact with other layers in the device, like the charge transport materials. Better alignment means better performance.

Toward Tandem Solar Cells

HEHPs are especially promising for tandem solar cells, which combine two layers to capture more sunlight. Their stability and performance make them perfect for this next generation of solar tech.

Ready to Power the Future

High-entropy hybrid perovskites may be the breakthrough the solar industry has been waiting for. By using a more diverse set of ingredients, these solar cells are not just more efficient — they’re tougher, longer-lasting, and easier to produce at scale.

At CPTI, we’re staying ahead of the curve by developing advanced perovskite solutions for next-generation solar devices. Reach out to us today to learn how our materials and expertise can support your clean energy goals!

 

FAQs About High-Entropy Hybrid Perovskites

1. What are high-entropy hybrid perovskites (HEHPs)?
HEHPs are perovskite materials that incorporate five or more different organic A-site cations in equal parts. This “high-entropy” mixing improves the structural and thermal stability of the perovskite crystal.

2. How do HEHPs improve solar cell performance?
The increased entropy stabilizes the perovskite phase, reducing issues like phase segregation and degradation under heat or moisture. This leads to higher power conversion efficiency (up to 25.7%) and longer device lifetimes.

3. Are HEHPs more durable than traditional perovskites?
Yes. HEHP-based solar cells have shown improved resistance to heat, moisture, and phase changes—maintaining 90% of performance even after 5,000 hours of operation.

4. What are the challenges in using HEHPs?
Despite their advantages, HEHPs can be more complex and costly to synthesize due to the need for precise stoichiometry and purity of multiple cations. Scaling up for commercial use remains a challenge.

5. Can HEHPs be used in commercial solar panels?
 HEHPs are still in the research and development phase, but their performance and stability improvements make them strong candidates for future commercial solar technologies.