Researchers Develop More Efficient Solar Cell

A breakthrough by scientists at Oxford University has led to the creation of a cheaper, simpler and more efficient solar cell, according to an article on Phys.org.

Using a material known as perovskite, they have worked out a way to make its diffusion length ten times better than previously possible.

The diffusion length is the average distance charge carriers (electrons and ‘holes’) are able to travel before recombining. By adding chloride ions, the Oxford University researchers have been able to achieve diffusion lengths of more than 1000 nanometres (100 nm was previously the best that could be achieved).

Prior to this, scientists could only achieve the same efficiency level of 15% by arranging cells in complex structures called mesostructures, but the new cells can achieve the same efficiency without having to create mesostructures, which makes them much cheaper and easier to make.

The scientists predict that, thanks to this breakthrough, it will not be long before commercial manufacturers start taking a serious interest in perovskite cells.