by Paul Arnold, Tech Xplore
edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan
contributing writer
scientific editor
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Molecular press annealing process and real-time characterization of perovskite film during annealing. Credit: Science (2026). DOI: 10.1126/science.aea8228
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are known for their impressive ability to convert sunlight into energy, their low production costs and their lightweight design. They may well be the rising stars of renewable energy, but they are not yet as common as traditional solar panels. PSCs are also notoriously fragile and can break when heated during manufacturing.
But these problems could soon be a thing of the past. For their study published in the journal Science, a team from Xi’an Jiaotong University in China has developed a new method that protects the cells from damage during fabrication.
To make PSCs, the perovskite film has to be heated, which helps the perovskite crystals grow. These are the cell’s active layers that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. However, heat can cause iodide to be lost from the surface, leaving behind tiny holes. These gaps are weak spots that can spread inward, causing the crystal structure to degrade and ultimately reduce the cell’s efficiency. While scientists usually try to repair the damage after it occurs, this new method prevents it from happening in the first place.
The novel approach involves coating a glass plate with a molecule called 2-Pyy (2-pyridylethylamine, a nitrogen-rich organic molecule), then flipping the plate over and pressing it firmly against the solar cell to create a molecular seal. The 2-Pyy molecules bind to lead atoms in the perovskite crystals, which helps prevent the iodide from escaping.
After applying the molecular seal, the team tested their technology to see how it would handle real-world conditions. The cells survived for more than 2,000 hours of continuous testing in extreme heat (85°C) and high humidity (60%) without breaking down. They retained 98.6% of their original power throughout the test. And the cells achieved a solar conversion efficiency of 26.6%, a record for this type of cell.
There’s even more good news. The plate used to apply the molecules can be cleaned and reused multiple times, helping cut manufacturing costs and potentially making the cells cheaper to buy.
“This study elucidates the degradation kinetics of perovskite under practical processing and presents an effective remedy poised for deployment in industrial production of perovskite photovoltaics,” commented the study authors.
The next step for the researchers is to scale up their technology for industrial production. But first, they want to test the method on larger panels to see if they get similar results.
Written for you by our author Paul Arnold, edited by Lisa Lock, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Egan—this article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You’ll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.
More information: Jianfei Hu et al, Molecular press annealing enables robust perovskite solar cells, Science (2026). DOI: 10.1126/science.aea8228
Journal information: Science
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A molecular seal using 2-pyridylethylamine prevents iodide loss during perovskite solar cell fabrication, significantly enhancing stability and efficiency. Cells maintained 98.6% of initial power after 2,000 hours at 85 °C and 60% humidity, achieving a record 26.6% efficiency. The process is reusable and may reduce manufacturing costs.
This summary was automatically generated using LLM. Full disclaimer
Molecular seal strengthens perovskite solar cells, while pushing efficiency to 26.6%
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