Qing Shen, Professor, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering.

Perovskite semiconductor nanomaterials for next generation solar cells.

Qing Shen fabricates semiconductor nanomaterials and nanostructures for next generation solar cells. "Research on inexpensive and high efficiency solar cells shows potential for solving problems related to energy and the environment," says Shen. "In particular, perovskite solar cells are attracting attention recently."

A high solar efficiency of over 20% has been reported by using a halogenated perovskite layer of several 100 nm thickness as the light absorbing layer of solar cells. This has attracted great attention. However, improvements in their durability and efficiency are major challenges.

Perovskite nanocrystals show potential for resolving these problems. This is because semiconductor nanocrystals have unique properties compared with conventional bulk materials.

Recently, Shen has developed a unique method and succeeded in producing inorganic perovskite nanocrystals with non-radiative transition free loss and 100% luminescence quantum yield. In addition, she also succeeded in the preparation of very stable perovskite nanocrystals by this method.

When these nanocrystals were applied to solar cells, the energy conversion efficiency reached 11.3% and the devices were stable even after more than two months.

Future research includes exploring the basic properties of these materials as well as applications to solar cells and LEDs.

Further information

Qing Shen, Professor, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo.

Qing Shen laboratory: http://www.shen.es.uec.ac.jp/index.htm
Research Highlight: Innovative photovoltaic materials: CsSn1-xPbxI3 nanocrystals as phase-stable perovskites