Efficient, stable, and transparent photovoltaic cells with segment-patterned micro-cavity cathodes†

Abstract

Transparent photovoltaic cells (TPVs) have garnered significant interest due to their versatile applications, ranging from smart windows and vehicle integration to agricultural and premium consumer devices. In this study, we introduce a highly efficient fabrication technique for TPVs that effectively addresses the thermal management challenges typically encountered during device processing. By integrating nanosecond laser processing with spatially segmented photovoltaic technologies, we successfully produce TPVs that maintain stable chromaticity, with no deviation in Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) color coordinates. While femtosecond lasers offer higher precision, their cost remains prohibitive. Nanosecond lasers, though more economical, introduce thermal effects that adversely affect both device efficiency and longevity. To overcome these limitations, we replaced conventional thick silver electrodes with a micro-cavity cathode comprising a 90 nm MgF₂ layer, resulting in a marked enhancement in processing quality. This novel approach yielded TPVs with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.51%, an average visible transmittance (AVT) of 51.86%, and a light utilization efficiency (LUE) of 2.34%. Furthermore, device operational stability improved substantially, with the T₈₀ lifetime extended from 483 hours (thick Ag cathode) to 727 hours (micro-cavity cathode). These results underscore the potential of this methodology to advance TPV technology towards scalable manufacturing and widespread commercial adoption.