University of Antioquia Achieve 15.98% Efficiency in Perovskite Solar Cells Using Roll-to-Roll Coating with Green Solvent Anisole

In a new study, researchers from the University of Antioquia used an infinityPV Laboratory Roll-to-Roll Coater to develop sustainable perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by replacing toxic chlorinated solvents with anisole, a green alternative.

Traditional PSC manufacturing relies on chlorobenzene for processing [6]-Phenyl-C₆₁-Butyric Acid Methyl Ester (PCBM), a key electron transport layer (ETL). However, chlorobenzene poses severe health and environmental risks, including carcinogenicity and groundwater contamination, while also facing strict regulatory limits (e.g., OSHA PELs, EU ELV-DE).

These challenges hinder scalability and industrial adoption.

The team explored anisole, a non-chlorinated, low-toxicity solvent, as a safer alternative. By optimizing ink concentration and leveraging the Laboratory Roll-to-Roll Coater, they achieved uniform PCBM layers with enhanced charge extraction, stability, and efficiency, proving that green solvents can match the performance of traditional methods.

What You Need to Know

• Researchers replaced toxic solvents with anisole, a non-toxic alternative, making perovskite solar cell production safer for people and the environment.

• The new method achieved 15.98% efficiency in rigid solar cells and 7.04% in flexible ones, nearly matching traditional toxic-solvent-based cells. The cells retained 95% efficiency after 1,100 hours.

• Using a roll-to-roll coater, the process mimics industrial printing, proving it can be scaled up for mass production.

The Laboratory Roll-to-Roll Coater was used to fabricate flexible perovskite solar cells.

How the Laboratory Roll-to-Roll Coater Was Used

The Laboratory Roll-to-Roll Coater was to fabricate flexible perovskite solar cells and minimodules with precise layer deposition. The PCBM layer was slot-die coated using a 20 mg/mL anisole-based ink, ensuring uniform thickness (~38 nm) and low surface roughness (4.88 nm).

After deposition, the films were annealed at 90°C for 20 minutes to ensure complete solvent removal and optimal morphology. The perovskite layer (MAPbI₃) was also deposited via slot-die coating at a pump rate of 0.35 mL/min, a gap of 150 µm, and a substrate speed of 0.5 m/min, followed by annealing at 100°C for 10 minutes.

The flexible minimodules were fabricated on ITO-coated PET substrates with a P1-P2-P3 laser-scribed interconnection, resulting in a total active area of 11 cm². The champion flexible small-area device achieved a PCE of 7.04%, demonstrating the scalability of the process.

“The flexible devices fabricated by slot-die were fabricated using a R2R equipment (infinity PV-LR2RC750) using the following param-eters: the NiOx was deposited onto the substrate with a pump rate of 0.1 mL/min, a gap of 150 μm, and a substrate speed of 1.5m/min.”

— Direct Quote from the Research Article

What This Means for Your Research

This study highlights the precision and versatility of the Laboratory Roll-to-Roll Coater in advancing sustainable perovskite solar cell research.

The Laboratory Roll-to-Roll Coater enables researchers to efficiently test and optimize green solvent formulations, such as anisole, by providing consistent, high-quality coatings. This precision helps eliminate common issues like interfacial losses and non-uniform film formation, improving performance in rigid and flexible devices.

For labs looking to transition from spin coating to scalable, industrial-level production, the Laboratory Roll-to-Roll Coater offers a reliable and adaptable solution. Its ability to fine-tune coating parameters (e.g., pump rate, gap, substrate speed) ensures reproducible results, making it ideal for exploring new materials, optimizing processes, and bridging the gap between lab research and real-world applications.

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Peer-Reviewed Studies Featuring the Laboratory Roll-to-Roll Coater