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Researchers have introduced a method to stabilize halide perovskite by incorporating custom-engineered “ionic liquids.”
In the future, solar panels can last much longer than a few years. 
Researchers from Purdue and Emory Universities in the US have developed a way to supercharge the durability of next-generation solar cells. 
Energy engineers have long eyed perovskite solar cells as a cheaper, more efficient alternative to standard silicon solar cells. These crystalline materials, such as halide perovskites, are excellent light absorbers and convert sunlight into electricity with impressive efficiency. 
However, a major hurdle remained: extreme instability. Rapid degradation made these materials commercially unviable compared to silicon’s decades-long lifespan.
In this new work, the team has introduced a method to stabilize halide perovskite by incorporating custom-engineered “ionic liquids.” These ionic liquids are salts that remain liquid even at low temperatures and interact powerfully with other materials. 
Perovskite solar cells are built like a sandwich, with the active light-absorbing layer squeezed between two interface layers. 
While most researchers focus on fixing defects at the top surface, the new work targets the entire structure. The approach simultaneously cleans up imperfections within the main body (bulk) of the material and the often-ignored bottom “buried” interface, ensuring the cell is stable from top to bottom.
Particularly, the team developed a high-tech chemical glue called MEM-MIM-Cl. 
“We engineered an ionic liquid, methoxyethoxymethyl-1-methylimidazole chloride (MEM-MIM-Cl), with an ethylene glycol ether side chain that regulates perovskite growth and stabilizes buried interfaces via synergistic interactions,” the study explained. 
This custom liquid acts like a molecular bodyguard for the delicate perovskite crystals.
It binds to positively charged lead ions, fills in tiny gaps where ions are missing, and protects the often-overlooked buried interfaces within the solar cell structure.
When mixed into the raw perovskite material, this liquid promotes slower, more perfect crystal growth. It allows for the growth of larger, higher-quality grains with fewer internal flaws.
Furthermore, the liquid naturally migrates to the bottom interface, acting as a protective seal that prevents defects from forming at the layer interface.
The real test, of course, was performance. 
For this, the enhanced solar cells were pushed to the absolute limit by exposure to continuous, intense sunlight at a scorching 90°C (194°F).
This is far harsher than typical testing conditions. Yet, the cells held strong, retaining an astonishing 90 per cent of their initial performance for over 1,500 hours.
“Solar cells incorporating MEM-MIM-Cl achieved a power conversion efficiency of 25.9% and retained 90% of their initial performance after 1,500 h under continuous 1-sun illumination and 90 °C thermal stress—surpassing prior benchmarks under milder ageing conditions,” the study detailed. 
Interestingly, the technique is compatible with industrial manufacturing processes, such as “blade coating,” which can efficiently churn out large solar panels.
Reportedly, the team is also refining its molecular designs and using advanced imaging better to understand the chemical interactions between ionic liquids and perovskites. 
Through patenting and strategic industry alliances, they aim to transform these laboratory successes into a scalable solution for the global energy market.
The study findings were published in the journal Nature Energy on December 1. 
Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations. Her work has been featured in well-known publications including Nature India, Supercluster, The Weather Channel and Astronomy magazine. If you have pitches in mind, please do not hesitate to email her.
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