HSE Scientists Develop Method to Stabilise Iodine in Solar Cells
Scientists at HSE MIEM, in collaboration with colleagues from China, have developed a method to improve the durability of perovskite solar cells by addressing iodine loss from the material. The researchers introduced quaternary ammonium molecules into the perovskite structure; these molecules form strong electrostatic pairs with iodine ions, effectively anchoring them within the crystal lattice. As a result, the solar cells retain more than 92% of their power after a thousand hours of operation at 85°C. The study has been published in Advanced Energy Materials.
Perovskites are materials with a specific crystal structure in which lead and halogen atoms (such as iodine) are combined with small organic or inorganic ions. This crystal lattice absorbs light efficiently and converts it into electricity. Over the past decade, perovskite solar cells have evolved from laboratory experiments into a major area of solar energy research. They can potentially be manufactured at a lower cost than silicon-based cells and have nearly matched them in terms of efficiency.
Iodine-based perovskites achieve efficiencies of over 26%, delivering the best performance among perovskite materials. This is because their energy structure is well suited to absorbing sunlight and capturing a large fraction of the incoming radiation. Charge carriers in these crystals have longer lifetimes, can travel greater distances, and suffer fewer losses from structural defects, which minimises undesirable charge recombination. However, iodide perovskites also have a drawback: under prolonged exposure to light and heat, their crystal lattice loses iodine, leading to erosion of the metal electrodes. As a result, the solar cell gradually deteriorates and its efficiency declines.
Previous attempts to address this issue have focused on strengthening the crystal structure or introducing molecules that bind iodine through hydrogen bonds. However, these bonds are not strong enough to retain iodine effectively during prolonged device operation. A more logical approach would be to use stronger electrostatic interactions, in which positively charged molecules firmly bind negatively charged iodine ions. Until now, however, it has been unclear how to incorporate such molecules into the perovskite crystal lattice without disrupting its structure.
In a new study, scientists from HSE MIEM, East China Normal University, Hengyang Normal University, and Ningbo University have developed a method to electrostatically retain iodine within the perovskite structure, significantly enhancing the resistance of solar cells to prolonged photothermal stress.
First, the researchers carried out theoretical calculations to identify molecules that could most effectively bind triiodide anions (I₃⁻). Quaternary ammonium compounds—molecules in which the nitrogen atom is fully surrounded by hydrocarbon groups—proved to be the most effective. This configuration enables strong confinement of triiodide ions, and subsequent experiments therefore employed tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI).
In the experimental phase, the researchers added TBAI to the solution used to form perovskite films and compared the resulting films with control samples prepared without additives. Films containing TBAI preserved their structural integrity and chemical stability under photothermal conditions, whereas the controls gradually degraded. This difference was evident from measurements of metallic lead, a marker of perovskite degradation: after 250 hours of photothermal exposure, its concentration in the modified films remained nearly unchanged, while in the control films it increased by approximately 1.5 times. In addition, the presence of TBAI almost completely suppressed the migration of iodine and copper between layers.
The researchers then tested full-scale solar cells. The addition of TBAI not only prevented degradation but also improved the properties of the material: the perovskite grains became larger and more ordered, the density of defects decreased, and the power conversion efficiency increased from 24.14% to 26.23%. For state-of-the-art perovskite devices operating close to their physical limits, such an improvement is substantial. TBAI also notably enhanced device stability: after 1,000 hours of operation at 85 °C, cells containing TBAI retained 92.5% of their initial efficiency, whereas the control device degraded to 43.8% after just 288 hours.
The authors hope that this approach to regulating electrostatic interactions in perovskites will contribute to the development of more durable solar cells.
Andrey Vasenko
'In theory, this approach could be applied to other types of halide perovskites, including materials in which iodine is combined with bromine. This would enable the development of solar panels that combine high efficiency with thermal stability,' comments Prof. Andrey Vasenko of HSE MIEM.
The study was carried out as part of the research project 'Engineering of Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.'
See also:
Russian Scientists Propose Method to Speed Up Microwave Filter Design
Researchers at HSE MIEM, in collaboration with colleagues from the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI), have implemented a novel approach to designing microwave filters—generative synthesis using machine learning tools. The proposed method reduces the filter development cycle from several days to just a few minutes and in the future could be applied to the design of other microwave electronic devices. The results were presented at the IEEE International Conference '2026 Systems of Signals Generating and Processing in the Field of on Board Communications.'
Scientists Find That Only Technological Innovations Consistently Advance Environmental Sustainability
Renewable energy and labour productivity do not always contribute to environmental sustainability. Technological innovation is the only factor that consistently has a positive effect. This is the conclusion reached by an international team of researchers, including Natalia Veselitskaya, Leading Research Fellow at the HSE ISSEK Foresight Centre. The study has been published in Sustainable Development.
HSE’s CardioLife Test Among Winners of Data Fusion Awards 2026
The CardioLife genetic test—a development by the Centre for Biomedical Research and Technologies of the AI and Digital Science Institute at HSE University’s Faculty of Computer Science—has won the All-Russian cross-industry Data Fusion Awards, which recognise achievements in data and AI technologies. The project took first place in the Science–Business Partnership category, demonstrating a successful model for transferring technology from university research into the real healthcare sector.
HSE Researchers Train Neural Network to Predict Protein–Protein Interactions More Accurately
Scientists at the AI and Digital Science Institute of the HSE Faculty of Computer Science have developed a model capable of predicting protein–protein interactions with 95% accuracy. GSMFormer-PPI integrates three types of protein data (including information about protein surface properties) to analyse relationships between proteins, rather than simply combining datasets as in previous models. The solution could accelerate the discovery of disease molecular mechanisms, biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets. The paper has been published in Scientific Reports.
HSE University Installs Geoscan Station at IIT Bombay
A Russian ground station for receiving SONIKS satellite data has been installed on the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). Developed by Geoscan, the system will become part of a mirror laboratory project run jointly by HSE University and one of India’s leading universities.
HSE MIEM and MTS Launch Workshop on Innovative Solutions in Communication Networks
The HSE Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (MIEM) and MTS are launching a joint workshop in which students will work at the intersection of communications network engineering, data analysis, and digital technologies. The project is designed as a practice-oriented learning format, enabling students to tackle real industry challenges alongside company engineers and MIEM specialists. Registration to participate in the workshop is open until April 15, 2026.
HSE Scientists Uncover Mechanism Behind Placental Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Preeclampsia
Scientists at HSE University have discovered that in preeclampsia—one of the most severe complications of pregnancy—the placenta remodels its lipid metabolism, reducing its own cholesterol synthesis while increasing cholesterol transfer to the foetus. This compensatory mechanism helps sustain foetal nutrition but accelerates placental deterioration and may lead to preterm birth. The study findings have been published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences.
HSE Experts Reveal Low Accuracy of Technology Forecasts in Transportation
HSE researchers evaluated the accuracy of technology forecasts in the transportation sector over the past 50 years and found that the average accuracy rate does not exceed 25%, with the lowest accuracy observed in aviation and rail transport. According to the scientists, this is due to limitations of the forecasting method and the inherent complexities of the sector. The study findings have been published in Technological Forecasting and Social Change.
Wearable Device Data and Saliva Biomarkers Help Assess Stress Resilience
A team of scientists, including researchers from HSE University, has proposed a method for assessing stress resilience using physiological markers derived from wearable devices and saliva samples. The participants who adapted better to stress showed higher heart rate variability, higher zinc concentrations in saliva, and lower potassium levels. The findings were published in the Journal of Molecular Neuroscience.
HSE Unveils Anthropomorphic Courier Robot
From April 1 to 3, 2026, the Fourth Robotics Festival took place, with the HSE Faculty of Computer Science acting as the main organiser. The event featured the presentation of the anthropomorphic courier robot Arkus. The humanoid was introduced by the Institute for Robotic Systems, established jointly by HSE University and the EFKO Group of Companies.