Long-standing limitation in thin-film solar cells resolved with nanometric germanium oxide layer

Long-standing limitation in thin-film solar cells resolved with nanometric germanium oxide layer

As the world urgently seeks clean energy solutions, solar power stands out for its abundance and scalability compared to other renewable energy sources. In recent years, researchers have turned to thin-film solar cell technologies as alternatives to traditional crystalline silicon solar cells, owing to their lower manufacturing costs, better reproducibility, and applicability in flexible electronics.

Germanium oxide interface boosts tin monosulfide thin film solar cell efficiency and stability

Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Dec 17, 2025 Researchers at Chonnam National University in the Republic of Korea report that a nanometer scale germanium oxide layer can address a longstanding bottleneck in tin monosulfide thin film solar cells by improving the rear contact interface with the metal electrode. They focused on tin monosulfide, or SnS, a non toxic and low cost absorber that uses earth abundant elements and avoids indium, galli