Academic lecture：From Discovery to Progress in Perovskite Solar Cells
Speaker： Nam-Gyu Park, a Lifetime Distinguished Professor at the School of Chemical Engineering and Director of the SKKU Institute of Energy Science and Technology
(SIEST)
Time： 2025.11.19 9:00 ~ 2025.11.19 10:15
Location： Auditorium 515, Yue-Kong Pao Library, SJTU Minhang Campus
Abstract：
For the future electricity demands of our advancing society, particularly at the terawatt scale, solar cell technologies of both high-power conversion efficiency and low-cost per peak watt are simultaneously required. Prior to the introduction of perovskite solar cells, only a limited array of materials and technologies could meet both criteria. This presentation traces the evolution toward the development of practical solid-state perovskite solar cells. Beginning with an overview of initial technologies, the discussion progresses to the emergence of solid-state perovskite solar cells. Early efforts involved the use of quantum dot inorganic materials, such as nanocrystalline lead sulfide, as light harvesters. Despite their potential, these materials encountered significant challenges, primarily surface-defect-mediated recombination. Acknowledging these limitations, methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI3) perovskite emerged as an alternative to inorganic quantum dots. However, initial implementations as sensitizers in liquid-electrolyte-contained structures yielded disappointing results, with efficiencies as low as 3-4% in 2009 and the dissolution of MAPbI3. A breakthrough occurred in 2012 when a pioneering study demonstrated a 9.7% efficient and 500-hour-stable perovskite solar cell, leveraging MAPbI3 and a solid hole transporting material. This breakthrough rendered perovskite solar cells a viable and durable technology. Subsequent years witnessed rapid growth in perovskite photovoltaic research, with efficiencies approaching 27% using FAPbI3, surpassing existing technologies. Current research endeavors focus on enhancing stability and exploring tandem structures for electricity generation in both terrestrial and space applications. The perovskite solar cell stands poised as the most promising energy solution, with its potential impact on sustainable energy surpassing current expectations once stability and lead immobilization challenges are effectively addressed.
