Chengdu, China – October 20, 2025 – In a landmark achievement for renewable energy, researchers from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) have developed a perovskite solar cell that has reached a certified power conversion efficiency of 25.13%. This breakthrough was realized by incorporating two-dimensional titanium carbide, known as MXene, as a multifunctional additive into the perovskite light-absorbing layer . This innovation represents a significant stride not only in boosting performance but also in tackling the critical challenges of stability and thermal management that have historically impeded the commercial rollout of perovskite photovoltaics.
The new cell structure, detailed in the study "Multifunctional MXene for Thermal Management in Perovskite Solar Cells" published in Macro-Micro Letters, features a substrate of glass and indium tin oxide (ITO), an electron transport layer made of tin oxide (SnO₂), the MXene-modified perovskite absorber, a hole transport layer using Spiro-OMeTAD, and a gold metal contact .
The core of this advancement lies in the unique properties of MXene. These compounds, named for their graphene-like structure, are known for their exceptional metallic conductivity, high charge carrier mobility, and tunable surface properties . When Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene nanosheets are embedded into the perovskite layer, they act as a versatile component that simultaneously enhances heat dissipation and optoelectronic performance .
"The solar energy research community has been searching for a material that can simultaneously optimize charge extraction, enhance stability, and be processed easily. MXene's multifunctional advantages highlight its great potential for constructing perovskite solar cells with not only high power conversion efficiency but also excellent thermal stability," stated the research team .
One of the most critical functions of the MXene additive is its role in thermal management. Under continuous sunlight, heat accumulation within solar cells is a major cause of performance degradation. The research team demonstrated that the incorporation of Ti₃C₂Tₓ nanosheets created efficient heat conduction pathways within the perovskite film . This increased the thermal conductivity of the layer from 0.236 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ to 0.413 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ . Consequently, the operating temperature of the solar cell under standard illumination conditions was reduced by approximately 3°C, from 42.96°C to 39.97°C, significantly mitigating heat-induced degradation .
Beyond thermal management, the MXene nanosheets delivered multiple other benefits. They served as effective defect passivators at the grain boundaries of the perovskite crystals, reducing charge recombination losses . This led to a more uniform and smoother perovskite film with larger grain size, as confirmed by a reduction in film roughness from 24.9 nm to 15.2 nm . Furthermore, the modified perovskite film exhibited stronger light absorption in the visible region .
The combined effect of these improvements resulted in the record-breaking performance. The champion device achieved a power conversion efficiency of 25.13%, a substantial increase from the 23.70% efficiency of the reference cell without MXene . It also showed superior electrical characteristics, with an open-circuit voltage of 1.177 V, a short-circuit current density of 25.29 mA cm⁻², and a fill factor of 84.4% .
Perhaps as important as the efficiency jump is the marked enhancement in device stability. The MXene-based cell retained about 80% of its initial efficiency after 500 hours of exposure to high-temperature conditions of 85°C and a relative humidity of around 30-35% . In a stability test conducted under a nitrogen atmosphere with maximum power point tracking, the device maintained 70% of its initial efficiency after 500 hours, dramatically outperforming the control cell, which degraded to 20% of its original performance . This robust stability is a critical indicator of the technology's potential for long-term operation.
Despite the promising results, the research team acknowledged that challenges remain on the path to commercialization, primarily related to the high cost and complexity of synthesizing Ti₃C₂Tₓ materials . Future research will focus on optimizing synthesis routes to reduce costs and improve reproducibility. Exploring alternative MXene materials, such as Ti₂CTₓ, is also a key direction for future work .
This breakthrough, achieved through the strategic integration of MXene, illuminates a brighter and more efficient future for solar power. It brings the day when high-performance, durable, and cost-effective perovskite photovoltaics become a mainstream source of clean energy significantly closer.
Concerning the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC):
The University of Electronic Science and Technology of China is a long-standing national university renowned for its research programs focusing on electronic and information sciences, materials sciences, and energy technologies.
