Replacing indium tin oxide with single-walled carbon nanotubes could transform flexible perovskite solar panels.
Researchers led by the University of Surrey found that a simple sulfuric acid treatment significantly boosts conductivity while keeping the films transparent.
The treatment creates a nickel-based bridge layer that strengthens internal connections. This allowed the team to achieve more than 20% efficiency in large flexible cells and a record 24.5% in smaller devices.
Professor Wei Zhang said: “Our process resulted in a flexible perovskite solar cell free of indium tin oxide that achieved more than 20% power conversion efficiency across large areas.” He added that the results “took us all by surprise.”
Roll-to-roll chemical vapour deposition makes the carbon nanotube films suitable for large-scale production. This method is around six times cheaper than ITO sputtering, cutting costs by about $200 per square metre.
The study also revealed major stability gains. Devices retained over 95% of their performance after a month of heat, humidity and sunlight exposure.
Durability tests showed the nanotube-based modules lost only around 5% efficiency after 1,000 bends. Professor Ravi Silva said: “Carbon nanotube electrodes can do what indium tin oxide cannot – combine high performance with mechanical strength and low cost.”
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