A simulation study of all inorganic lead-free CsSnBr3 tin halide perovskite solar cell

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved champion efficiency from 3.8% to 25.2% in a decade. The major issues associated with perovskite solar cells are stability and toxicity. These PSCs quickly degrade in the ambient environment. The use of toxic lead in the hybrid organic–inorganic solar cells makes them unsafe as future technology. Recently, tin-based perovskite solar cells have gained attention as an alternative for resolving the issues of stability and toxicity. Numerical simulations help in finding the possible alternatives and understanding the underlying mechanism to solve the toxicity and stability problem. The present work aims to simulate lead-free perovskite solar cells and optimise the width of each layer. SCAPS_1D simulation software is used here to conduct the study. CsSnBr3 is used as an absorber layer, while SnO2 is used as an electron transport layer, and CuI is used as a hole transport layer. The simulation is conducted at 300 K temperature and AM1.5G solar spectrum. The device achieves a remarkable photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 17.06%, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.19 V, a current density of 16.94 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 84.19%. Thus, tin-based halide perovskite paves the way for future environmentally friendly and stable perovskite solar cells.