Publication date: 11th March 2026
Advancing Stability in Perovskite Solar Cells through Mechanistic Spectroscopy and Charge-Transport Engineering
Alexander R. Uhl*
Laboratory for Solar Energy & Fuels, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada
*alexander.uhl@ubca.ca
Operational instability in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) remains a central challenge for their technological deployment, with mobile ions playing a pivotal role in both performance losses and long-term degradation. In this contribution, I present two complementary studies from my group that address ion-related instabilities from both a fundamental diagnostic perspective and a materials and device engineering approach.
In the first work, we investigate ion-induced degradation beyond conventional recombination losses, focusing on charge collection failures that lead to reduced short-circuit current density, pronounced current–voltage hysteresis, and anomalous low-frequency features in impedance spectra. We introduce a physical modelling framework that differentiates between degradation pathways driven by mobile ions and enables a unified interpretation of electrical ageing phenomena. A central outcome is the identification of a double inductor response in the low-frequency impedance region, which emerges as a distinctive fingerprint of coupled recombination and charge-collection limitations. Analysis of the associated time constants reveals how their interplay governs the evolution of impedance responses and current–voltage characteristics during ageing, providing a robust spectroscopic marker of dominant instability mechanisms in PSCs. [1]
In the second work, we address ion-related interfacial instabilities through the development of a low-temperature, ink-based electron transport layers (ETL) based on ultra-small SnO₂ quantum dots synthesized under ambient conditions. By optimizing the chemical composition and formulation of SnO₂ quantum dot inks, we achieve controlled thin films with favorable electronic properties and improved interfacial contact to the perovskite absorber. PSCs incorporating the optimized SnO₂ quantum dot ETLs exhibit enhanced power conversion efficiency and significantly improved operational stability compared to devices employing conventional SnO₂-based transport layers. [2]
Together, these two studies demonstrate how advanced electrical diagnostics can identify ion-driven failure modes, while tailored interface engineering can mitigate their impact. This combined approach provides both mechanistic insight and practical strategies for improving the performance, reliability, and scalability of next-generation perovskite solar cells.
References:
[1] E. Ghahremani Rad, E.H. Balaguera, A.T. Gidey, J. Bisquert, A.R. Uhl, Tracing the Path of Ion-Induced Degradation with Combined Action in Recombination and Charge Collection for Perovskite Solar Cells, 2026, under review.
[2] A.T. Gidey, E. Ghahremani Rad, S. Suresh, A.R. Uhl, Room-Temperature Synthesis of Ultra-Small Sulfur-Free SnO2 Quantum Dots as Electron Transport Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells, 2026, under review.
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