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PhD Student: Kenedy Tabah

Director: Mónica Lira Cantú - CSIC Research Professor and Nanostructured Materials for Photovoltaic Energy Group Leader at ICN2

Short Abstract: Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) offer high efficiency, low-cost fabrication, and lightweight properties, making them strong candidates for next-generation photovoltaics. However, their instability under environmental stressors hinders commercialization. This thesis addresses PSC stability through advanced encapsulation, interfacial engineering, and machine learning. A two-part epoxy encapsulation strategy—using UV-curable and edge-sealing resins—enabled outdoor operation with nearly 100% retained efficiency over 1500 hours in Spain, Israel, and Germany. Incorporating 2D MXene interlayers at the perovskite/hole transport interface improved charge extraction and operational durability. Data from over 100 devices were used to train machine learning models that predict long-term outdoor stability from accelerated indoor tests, offering a novel AI-driven framework for performance forecasting. Impedance spectroscopy combined with maximum power point tracking revealed that increased ionic conductivity under low light conditions correlates with reduced shunt resistance and faster degradation. Finally, triple-cation PSCs tested in the stratosphere (–32°C to +32°C, high UV, low pressure) maintained 68–87% of initial efficiency, validating the resilience of the developed strategies under extreme conditions. Collectively, this work demonstrates a multifaceted approach to enhancing PSC stability, paving the way for their reliable deployment in both terrestrial and space-based energy systems.