Solar cells to be manufactured twice as large and five times faster than before.

Research Team at the Chemical Research Institute Develops Large-scale Roll-to-Roll Process Technology for Perovskite, ‘The traditional method for fabricating flexible perovskite solar cells has often utilized a discontinuous batch-type coating process. For mass production, the roll-to-roll coating process is essential.’,
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, ‘Unlike regular batch processes, the roll-to-roll process involves samples moving within a drying apparatus of a fixed size, making it challenging to conduct thermal processing over an extended period, a problem that has been highlighted.’,
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, ‘To overcome these limitations, the research team developed a new large-area roll-to-roll manufacturing process incorporating ultra-fast photonic curing technology (IPL, intensive pulsed light).’,
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A domestic research team produced a large-area module measuring 10cm x 10cm using a perovskite solar cell film manufactured via the roll-to-roll coating process. [Photo=Chemical Research Institute],
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, ‘Ultra-fast photonic curing technology irradiates strong light for a short time on the order of microseconds (μs), rapidly curing the perovskite layer without damaging the underlying substrate.’,
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, ‘Typically, perovskite films are produced by first coating lead iodide (PbI2) using the slot-die coating method, followed sequentially by the coating of formamidinium iodide (FAI).’,
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, ‘The research team replaced the traditional long high-temperature heat treatment process with the IPL process, where intense light is applied in an ultra-fast manner. They added ‘cesium formate’ to the lead iodide, which enhances the efficiency of the IPL process through greater light absorption.’,
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, ‘The developed process reduces the heat treatment time required in conventional roll-to-roll processes from more than 10 minutes to 2 minutes, making it possible to produce large flexible modules over 100cm², thereby greatly increasing its commercial application potential.’,
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, ‘To significantly improve the lifespan of flexible solar cells, the research team introduced a new encapsulation technology using flexible film materials that have both transparent electrode and protective qualities, advancing existing rigid glass-based encapsulation techniques.’,
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, ‘The film with the new encapsulation technology is 40% thinner than existing encapsulation films, exhibiting over 25% more flexibility. This allows the solar cells to maintain durability and function stably for extended periods, even in high-temperature (60˚C) and high-humidity (90%) environments.’,
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, ‘Dr. Ham Dong-seok from the Chemical Research Institute stated, “This research is significant for the development of new processes for commercialization by shortening the processing time required for roll-to-roll coating and enhancing stability. It is expected that this technology will be applied to various industries in the future.”’,
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, ‘The research results have been published in the international scientific journals ‘ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces’ and ‘Solar RRL’.’,
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