Energy-Saving Perovskite Solar Cell Production via Microwave Annealing Process with Carbon-Based Additives

As perovskite solar cell (PSC) development edges closer to the manufacturing stage, energy required in the fabrication process is crucial both economically and environmentally. Traditionally, the perovskite absorber layer requires heat conduction (hot plate annealing) to facilitate solvent evaporation and promote the formation of compact crystalline structures. Via radiation heating, microwave annealing is a much faster and energy-frugal solution with a scalability potential. As carbon-based materials are known to be microwave receivers and trap passivators, in this work, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are utilized synergistically with the microwave annealing process to create high-quality and low-defect perovskite films while demanding 40% less energy input compared to the microwave process without GQDs. The developed low-cost carbon-based solar devices, with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 32.9% under 1000 lx, were demonstrated as an Internet of Things (IoTs) power source, which can simultaneously power humidity and temperature sensors even under dim light at 50 lx.