Multifunctional mxene for thermal management in perovskite solar cells

As perovskite solar cells approach commercialization, heat-induced degradation remains a key bottleneck. Now, researchers from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, led by Professor Zhongquan Wan, Professor Junsheng Luo, and Professor Chunyang Jia, have presented a novel strategy using Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets to simultaneously enhance thermal conductivity and optoelectronic performance. This work offers a promising route toward high-efficiency, thermally stable photovoltaics.

Why Ti₃C₂T_x MXene Matters

• Thermal Management: Ti₃C₂T_x boosts perovskite thermal conductivity from 0.236 to 0.413 W·m^-1·K^-1, reducing operating temperature by ~3°C under illumination.
• Defect Passivation: Surface terminations passivate Pb²⁺ defects, suppressing non-radiative recombination.
• Energy Alignment: Work function tuning improves charge extraction and transport across interfaces.

Innovative Design and Features

• Material Integration: Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets are embedded at perovskite grain boundaries to form efficient heat conduction pathways.
• Morphology Improvement: Enhanced grain growth and surface smoothness (RMS reduced from 24.9 to 15.2 nm).
• Multifunctionality: Combines thermal dissipation, defect reduction, and energy level optimization in a single additive.

Applications and Future Outlook

• Efficiency Gain: Champion PCE of 25.13% (vs. 23.70% control).
• Thermal Stability: Retains 80% PCE after 500 h at 85°C/30±5% RH; control drops to 58% after 200 h.
• Operational Durability: 70% PCE retained after 500 h MPP tracking in N₂ (control: 20%).
• Challenges and Opportunities: Future work will focus on scalable synthesis, cost reduction, and long-term encapsulation compatibility.

This study highlights the transformative potential of MXene materials in advancing perovskite solar cell stability and performance, paving the way for next-generation photovoltaics with enhanced thermal resilience.