Glutathione Boosts Perovskite Solar Cell Durability and Power

A new approach turns a common antioxidant into a multitasking enhancer for inverted perovskite solar cells, tackling the long‑standing clash between power output and longevity. The trick lies in adding reduced glutathione (GSH) to the device’s thin‑film layers. GSH acts on several levels: it creates an electric dipole across the cell, binds to lead ions to seal internal defects, speeds up crystal growth in a controlled way, and shields the material from oxygen radicals and moisture. At the same time, GSH can be oxidised to glutathione disulphide (GSSG). The GSSG then pairs with nickel oxide at the interface, forming a redox pair that can repair damage as it occurs. This self‑healing loop also opens a fresh route for positive charges to move, which helps the cell resist damage from ultraviolet light and heat‑induced breakdown of surface molecules.Because GSH handles both the micro‑scale (defect passivation) and macro‑scale (dipole tuning), the resulting devices show an impressive balance of efficiency and stability. A tiny cell covering 4 mm² reached a peak conversion rate of 26. 17 %. A larger module, measuring 12. 50 cm², delivered 23. 14 %, among the best figures for its size class. When tested under standard stability protocols, the cells kept more than two‑thirds of their initial power after 200 hours of continuous light, over nine‑tenths after a year of daily cycling, and more than three‑quarters after 336 hours of long‑term exposure. These results demonstrate that the GSH strategy can break the usual trade‑off between high efficiency and durable performance. The study suggests a “dynamic regulation–static protection” blueprint that could guide future design of perovskite solar panels, making them more viable for real‑world use.