A research team from the School of Engineering (SENG) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has achieved a major breakthrough by introducing a comprehensive biomimetic multi-scale design strategy, successfully addressing the key challenge to the commercialization of perovskite solar cells—long-term operational stability. The related research results were published as a paper titled “Bioinspired Multiscale Design of Perovskite Solar Cells” in Nature Reviews Clean Technology, opening a new path for the development of solar technology.
Perovskite solar cells exhibit enormous potential in reducing solar energy costs due to their low-temperature, solution-based manufacturing processes. However, operational issues such as insufficient interfacial adhesion, mechanical brittleness, and sensitivity to environmental stresses (such as heat, moisture, and ultraviolet light) severely hinder their commercial viability. These problems involve various length scales from picometers to centimeters, with multi-scale structural factors significantly affecting the stability and performance of the cells.
To tackle these challenges, Professor Zhou Yuanyuan, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Associate Director of the Energy Institute at HKUST, along with his research group and collaborators from top institutions in the United States and Switzerland, drew inspiration from nature. They believe that hierarchical functional structures in nature, such as those found in leaves, can inspire the development of efficient, low-cost, resilient, and environmentally adaptive solar technologies.
The integrated strategy proposed by the research team covers multiple levels: at the molecular level, biomimetic molecular interactions are used to control crystallization and slow degradation; at the microscale, dynamic bonds and interfacial reinforcement enable self-healing and strength enhancement; at the device level, nature-inspired functional structures—such as moth-eye structures, leaf transpiration, and beetle cuticles—are adopted to improve light management, heat dissipation, and environmental protection.
Building on the latest breakthroughs in biomimetic interface design, the research team has achieved milestone progress. They utilized R-/S-methylbenzylammonium to create a chiral interface in which helically arranged benzene rings mimic biological springs, significantly enhancing the mechanical durability of perovskite solar cells; this result was published in Science. In addition, the team developed a multilayer surface microstructure resembling cell surfaces, which effectively suppresses defects and enhances energy level alignment, thereby improving efficiency and damp-heat stability; this work was published in Nature Synthesis.
These studies highlight the immense potential of biomimetic and hierarchical engineering in addressing fundamental limitations of perovskite solar cells, including adhesion, fatigue, and interfacial degradation. The multi-scale design framework also emphasizes sustainability, prioritizing low-toxicity materials compatible with the circular economy.
Professor Zhou’s team stated that future research will focus on screening biomimetic molecules for optimal thin-film crystallization and stability, developing self-healing mechanisms activated by operational stresses, designing cost-effective biomicrostructures, and integrating multifunctional encapsulation to improve the efficiency and lifespan of perovskite solar cells.
Dr. Duan Tianwei, first author of the paper and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at HKUST, said: “This is not just about new materials; it represents a new nature-inspired approach to solar technology. By integrating biomimetic structures, functions, and sustainability, we are excited about the new chapter that is about to begin in the field of solar energy.”
Currently, the team has established collaborations with Yale University, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to jointly advance the commercialization of perovskite solar cell technology.
