A collaborative research team, spearheaded by Professor Zhang Jinbao of Xiamen University and Professor Liang Chao from Xi'an Jiaotong University, has unveiled an innovative molecular imprinting annealing technique. This method meticulously controls the emergence and progression of defects within perovskite structures, paving the way for enhanced stability in perovskite solar cells. Their groundbreaking research has been featured in the prestigious Science journal.

While perovskite solar cells boast numerous benefits, the conventional thermal annealing process often triggers crystal defects, posing a challenge to the devices' longevity. The newly introduced approach leverages 'solid-state molecular imprinting annealing' to monitor and restrict the evolution of perovskite defects instantaneously at the molecular scale. This effectively curtails the formation and spread of iodine vacancy defects, achieving a state of 'simultaneous crystallization and protection.' As a result, the material's crystallinity is enhanced, and defect formation is significantly reduced.

Experimental findings confirm that perovskite solar cells crafted using this advanced method display exceptional performance, resilience, and stability.