
A prototype of the copper-based perovskite photo voltaic cells which were developed by the researchers of Kerala College.
Researchers from the College of Kerala have advanced a way to exchange lead, a hazardous environmental pollutant, with copper in perovskite photo voltaic cells.
The Modular Skinny Movie Fab Laboratory of the college’s Physics division has paved the way in which for the modern technique that opens up the feasibility for industries to maneuver in direction of lead-free, eco-friendly cells.
The analysis, revealed by peer-reviewed scientific journal Optical Supplies introduced out by Elsevier, was led by Affiliate Professor R. Jayakrishnan and included researchers Adithya Nath R., Aruna Raj, Jishad A. Salam, and Akhil M. Anand
The lead writer factors out that laboratory scale methyl ammonium lead bromide-based perovskite photo voltaic cells presently have an effectivity of 25.3%, which is far forward of the silicon photo voltaic cells obtainable out there which have reported efficiencies starting from 18% to twenty%.
Perovskite photo voltaic cells (PSC) are identified to be probably cost-effective and extremely environment friendly in skinny movie photovoltaic know-how.
“The presence of lead in PSCs, nevertheless, make them unattractive for the market. Lead, being an environmental pollutant with excessive toxicity and bioaccumulation, ranks first within the record of hazardous substances. Lead contamination throughout manufacturing and disposal of conventional lead-halide perovskites have remained a priority since its entry into the human physique by way of the meals chain may trigger irreparable well being results,” Prof. Jayakrishnan factors out.
At the moment, lead is an integral constituent in photovoltaic installations, cell phones and all digital parts since there is no such thing as a substitute for soldering goal. Research present that by 2050, monumental quantities of lead (roughly 30 tonnes) and cadmium (2.9 tonnes) will probably be launched into the setting from crystalline and thin-film photo voltaic panels respectively.
The analysis group have optimised an emulsion-based method whereby they’ve adopted the room temperature processing method to exchange lead with copper within the methyl ammonium lead bromide perovskite materials. Consequently, they’ve decreased using lead within the beginning materials by 50% for the event of the photodiode, the resultant product, which is extra photosensitive than these made with out copper substitutes within the perovskite materials.
The analysis commenced in 2016 when Prof. Jayakrishnan had received the Kerala State Younger Scientist Award instituted by the Kerala State Council For Science, Expertise and Setting.