Joint Research Team Achieves Record Solar Efficiency Through Molecular Bridge Regulation of Perovskite Buried Interfaces

Chinese researchers stabilize perovskite solar cells using 4-ABPA molecular bridges, achieving record efficiency and long-term durability in ambient conditions.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 4:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from [Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics]

Challenges in Next-Generation Perovskite Photovoltaics

Perovskite materials are widely recognized as the most promising candidates for the next generation of solar technology due to their superior optoelectronic properties. However, the commercialization of these cells has been hindered by issues at the "buried interface"—the layer where the perovskite meets the electron transport material. During fabrication, this area often suffers from lattice mismatch and energy-level misalignment, which triggers non-radiative recombination and accelerates the degradation of the cell under heat and light.

Engineering a Stable Molecular Connection

To address these interfacial flaws, a research team led by Prof. Yang Dong and Prof. Wu Congcong introduced 4-aminobutylphosphonic acid, or 4-ABPA, as a multifunctional molecular bridge. This molecule acts as a chemical anchor, with its phosphonic acid group bonding covalently to the tin oxide transport layer. Simultaneously, its amino group coordinates with lead and iodine ions within the perovskite lattice. This dual-binding mechanism creates a robust bridge that physically and chemically links the two critical layers of the solar cell.

Enhancing Crystal Growth and Reducing Residual Stress

The introduction of the 4-ABPA interlayer provided vital heterogeneous nucleation sites, which are essential for high-quality crystal formation. By facilitating smoother phase transformation and reducing the presence of interfacial pinholes, the molecular bridge improved the overall crystallinity and orientation of the perovskite film. Furthermore, this modification helped alleviate residual stress within the film, a common cause of mechanical failure and efficiency loss in polycrystalline solar cells.