{
  "id": 10641856,
  "title": "Polymer-tuned perovskite creates high-efficiency underwater solar cells",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/polymer-tuned-perovskite-creates-high-efficiency-underwater-solar",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-29T08:00:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Physics World",
    "slug": "physics-world",
    "url": "https://physicsworld.com/a/polymer-tuned-perovskite-creates-high-efficiency-underwater-solar-cells/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Terrestrial solar cells struggle to function underwater due to water's strong absorption of light at wavelengths of 630 nm or more. This limits conventional devices like silicon, cadmium telluride, or 1.55 eV perovskite solar cells to operating efficiently only in the narrow blue-orange glow of water. In China, a research team led by Wen-Hua Zhang at Yunnan University has developed a functionalized solar cell designed for the deep sea. Published in Joule, the team engineered a wide-bandgap perovskite solar cell that thrives in dim underwater environments by capturing the specific blue-green light that penetrates deep water. This breakthrough allowed the device to generate electricity with a record-breaking 34.71% power conversion efficiency at a simulated depth of 10 meters. The researchers achieved this by tuning the perovskite's physical properties, specifically its optical bandgap to 1.96 eV, matching the narrow blue-green window of deep water. To mitigate material vulnerabilities in the underwater environment, the team introduced polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) into the lead halide perovskite matrix. PHMG rewrites the crystallization dynamics, stabilizes the crystal structure, and prevents structural decay. This resulted in a shift from hole-carrying (p-type) to electron-carrying (n-type) conductivity, improving electron extraction and reducing energy losses through interfacial non-radiative recombination. While standard testing showed 16.79% efficiency under terrestrial sunlight, the underwater solar simulator yielded an impressive 34.71% efficiency at a depth of 10 meters. In-field testing in the South China Sea demonstrated the modules' stability and ability to generate 324 mWh of energy to charge lithium-ion batteries, providing power for a custom LED panel. The team's testing also predicted an operational lifespan of approximately 5.49 years at 25 °C, making this a promising step towards self-sustaining underwater solar harvesting.",
  "summary": "A novel crystallization approach boosts submerged solar cells to unprecedented stability, enabling effective conversion of filtered submarine light into sustainable underwater power The post Polymer-tuned perovskite creates high-efficiency underwater solar cells appeared first on Physics World .",
  "key_points": [
    "Researchers at Yunnan University developed a perovskite solar cell for underwater use.",
    "Tuning the perovskite's optical bandgap to 1.96 eV maximizes efficiency in deep water.",
    "Underwater testing achieved 34.71% efficiency and 5.49-year lifespan."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}