Acid Treated Carbon Nanotubes Raise Efficiency and Durability of Flexible Perovskite Solar Modules

Why It Matters

The breakthrough combines high efficiency, durability, and low‑cost, scalable production, positioning flexible perovskite modules for commercial deployment in building‑integrated photovoltaics and portable power applications.

Key Takeaways

• Acid‑treated SWCNT electrodes boost efficiency above 20 %
• Hydrophobic nanotubes block moisture, extending module lifespan
• Roll‑to‑roll CVD enables meter‑scale carbon‑nanotube production
• ITO‑free design cuts cost and improves flexibility
• Devices retain >95 % efficiency after one month stress test

Pulse Analysis

Flexible perovskite solar modules promise lightweight, bendable power sources for next‑generation photovoltaics, yet they have struggled to balance high conversion efficiency with long‑term stability and cost‑effective manufacturing. Traditional transparent conductors such as indium‑tin‑oxide (ITO) add brittleness and expense, limiting the practical deployment of rollable panels on rooftops, façades, or wearable devices. Overcoming these barriers requires an electrode material that can conduct electricity efficiently, resist environmental degradation, and be produced at scale without compromising flexibility.

The research team’s solution centers on single‑walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films treated with sulfuric acid, a process that dramatically enhances electrical conductivity and introduces a compact NiSO₄–NiOₓ interlayer at the electrode‑perovskite interface. This interfacial chemistry facilitates rapid charge extraction, allowing laboratory‑scale cells to surpass 24 % power‑conversion efficiency and flexible modules to maintain over 20 % while remaining ITO‑free. Moreover, the intrinsic hydrophobicity of the SWCNT network acts as a moisture barrier, preserving more than 95 % of the initial efficiency after a month of continuous illumination under high temperature and humidity—an unprecedented durability benchmark for flexible perovskite devices.

Scalability is addressed through a roll‑to‑roll chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method capable of producing meter‑scale SWCNT films, aligning with existing thin‑film manufacturing lines. This approach reduces material costs, eliminates brittle glass substrates, and enables high‑throughput production of large‑area modules suitable for building‑integrated photovoltaics and distributed energy systems. As the industry seeks low‑carbon, adaptable solar solutions, acid‑treated carbon‑nanotube electrodes could accelerate the commercial rollout of flexible perovskite technology, driving broader adoption of renewable energy in urban environments.