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A Simple Annealing Trick Pushes Perovskite Solar Cells to 26.6% Efficiency and Fixes Their Biggest Flaw

Perovskite solar cells have rapidly moved from laboratory curiosities to serious contenders for next-generation solar energy. They are lightweight, low-cost, and capable of very high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). However, one major challenge still limits their large-scale adoption: long-term stability. A recent breakthrough from researchers at Xiamen University offers an elegant and practical solution to this problem. By introducing a novel technique called molecular press annealing (MPA), the team has achieved record efficiency while significantly improving device durability.

Why Annealing Matters in Perovskite Solar Cells

Annealing is a heat treatment process widely used in material science. In perovskite solar cells, thermal annealing helps improve the crystallinity of the perovskite film. Better crystallinity means fewer defects, smoother charge transport, and ultimately higher efficiency.

However, conventional thermal annealing has a downside. When perovskite films are heated, especially at high temperatures, they tend to lose iodine from their surface. This iodine loss creates defects known as iodine vacancies. These defects weaken the crystal structure, reduce device performance, and accelerate degradation over time.

In short, traditional annealing improves efficiency but harms stability. The challenge has been to find a method that delivers both.

The Core Problem: Iodine Loss and Lattice Damage

Perovskite materials are typically made from a lead–iodine framework combined with organic molecules. Iodine plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of this structure.

During thermal annealing:

  • Iodine atoms can escape from the surface.

  • Vacancies form where iodine is missing.

  • The local crystal lattice becomes distorted.

  • These damaged regions act as recombination centers where charge carriers are lost.

Over time, this leads to reduced efficiency and poor operational lifetime. Fixing iodine vacancies during annealing, rather than after damage occurs, has been a long-standing goal in perovskite research.

Introducing Molecular Press Annealing (MPA)

A research team led by Professor Jianfei Hu at Xiamen University has introduced an innovative solution called molecular press annealing (MPA).

The idea behind MPA is simple yet powerful:

  • A thin molecular layer is placed directly on top of the perovskite film.

  • Heat and pressure are applied simultaneously.

  • This molecular layer actively interacts with the perovskite surface during annealing.

In this work, the researchers used 2-pyridylethylamine, a small organic molecule with strong chemical affinity for iodine and lead atoms.

How 2-Pyridylethylamine Heals the Perovskite Surface

The success of MPA lies in smart ligand engineering. The chosen molecule performs several functions at once:

  1. Real-Time Healing of Iodine Vacancies
    During annealing, iodine vacancies naturally form. The 2-pyridylethylamine molecules interact with the perovskite surface and help stabilize iodine ions. This leads to immediate healing of vacancies as they appear.

  2. Stabilization of the Lead–Iodine Framework
    The molecule binds to under-coordinated lead atoms, strengthening the local crystal structure and preventing lattice collapse.

  3. Surface Protection Under Pressure
    Applying gentle pressure ensures intimate contact between the molecular film and the perovskite surface. This “molecular pressing” prevents iodine from escaping and maintains surface integrity.

  4. Improved Crystal Quality
    The combined heat and pressure promote uniform grain growth while suppressing defect formation.

Together, these effects allow annealing to do its job—improving crystallinity—without causing the usual damage.

Record-Breaking Performance

Using the MPA strategy, the team fabricated n–i–p structured perovskite solar cells with outstanding results.

  • Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE): 26.6%

  • Certified PCE: 26.5%

These values place the devices among the highest-performing perovskite solar cells reported to date. Importantly, the efficiency gains are not achieved at the expense of stability.

Exceptional Long-Term Stability

Stability testing is critical for any solar technology. The researchers evaluated their devices under rigorous international standards known as ISOS protocols.

Continuous Operation Test (ISOS-L-3)

  • Conditions:

    • 85°C temperature

    • 60% relative humidity

    • Maximum power point tracking

  • Duration: 1617 hours

  • Result: 98.6% of initial PCE retained

Ambient Storage Test (ISOS-D-1)

  • Conditions:

    • Room temperature

    • 10% relative humidity

  • Duration: 5280 hours

  • Result: 97.2% of initial PCE retained

These results demonstrate exceptional operational and shelf stability, addressing one of the biggest barriers to commercialization.

Why This Strategy Is So Important

The molecular press annealing approach stands out for several reasons:

  • Compatible with existing fabrication processes
    MPA does not require exotic equipment or complex procedures, making it suitable for industrial scaling.

  • Simultaneous efficiency and stability improvement
    Most previous strategies focused on one at the expense of the other. MPA delivers both.

  • Real-time defect management
    Instead of repairing damage after annealing, MPA prevents it during formation.

  • Generalizable concept
    The idea of combining pressure, heat, and smart molecular design could be extended to other perovskite compositions and optoelectronic devices.

Looking Ahead

Perovskite solar cells are approaching theoretical efficiency limits, but stability remains the final hurdle. The work from Xiamen University shows that this hurdle is not insurmountable.

By rethinking annealing as an interactive process rather than a passive one, molecular press annealing opens a new pathway for high-performance, long-lasting perovskite devices. With further optimization and large-area testing, this strategy could play a key role in bringing perovskite solar cells from the lab to the market.

Conclusion

Thermal annealing has long been a double-edged sword for perovskite solar cells. While it improves efficiency, it often damages the material. The molecular press annealing strategy elegantly solves this problem by healing defects in real time and stabilizing the crystal structure.

Achieving a certified efficiency of 26.5% alongside outstanding long-term stability, this work represents a major milestone in perovskite solar technology. It shows that with thoughtful molecular design and process engineering, perovskite solar cells can be both highly efficient and durable, bringing clean energy one step closer to widespread adoption.

Reference: 

  • Jianfei Hu et al.
    •  
,
Molecular press annealing enables robust perovskite solar cells.Science391,164-170(2026).DOI:10.1126/science.aea8228

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