Design and Modelling of Eco-Friendly CH3NH3SnI3-Based Perovskite Solar Cells with Suitable Transport Layers

M Mottakin,Kuaanan Techato,Sami Alharthi,Md Shahiduzzaman,Dilip Sarkar,Hend Alkhammash,K Sobayel,Md Akhtaruzzaman,Kamaruzzaman Sopian,Nowshad Amin

doi:10.3390/en14217200

Abstract

An ideal n-i-p perovskite solar cell employing a Pb free CH3NH3SnI3 absorber layer was suggested and modelled. A comparative study for different electron transport materials has been performed for three devices keeping CuO hole transport material (HTL) constant. SCAPS-1D numerical simulator is used to quantify the effects of amphoteric defect based on CH3NH3SnI3 absorber layer and the interface characteristics of both the electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer (HTL). The study demonstrates that amphoteric defects in the absorber layer impact device performance significantly more than interface defects (IDL). The cell performed best at room temperature. Due to a reduction in Voc, PCE decreases with temperature. Defect tolerance limit for IL1 is 1013 cm−3, 1016 cm−3 and 1012 cm−3 for structures 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The defect tolerance limit for IL2 is 1014 cm−3. With the proposed device structure FTO/PCBM/CH3NH3SnI3/CuO shows the maximum efficiency of 25.45% (Voc = 0.97 V, Jsc = 35.19 mA/cm2, FF = 74.38%), for the structure FTO/TiO2/CH3NH3SnI3/CuO the best PCE is obtained 26.92% (Voc = 0.99 V, Jsc = 36.81 mA/cm2, FF = 73.80%) and device structure of FTO/WO3/CH3NH3SnI3/CuO gives the maximum efficiency 24.57% (Voc = 0.90 V, Jsc = 36.73 mA/cm2, FF = 74.93%) under optimum conditions. Compared to others, the FTO/TiO2/CH3NH3SnI3/CuO system provides better performance and better defect tolerance capacity.

Highlights

The usage of renewable energy, especially solar photovoltaic as an alternative to conventional power generation sources, has enormous potential to reduce global warming significantly
Among the different types of solar cells, third-generation perovskite solar cells are currently the centre of interest in the scientific community as they offer a new area for solar energy research and can be implemented at a low cost with great efficiency [1]
A typical perovskite structure is denoted as ABX3, where A is a monovalent cation; B is a di, tri, or tetravalent metal ion (i.e., Pb2+, Sn2+, Ge2+, Sb3+, Bi3+ or Ti4+ ); and X is a halide anion (i.e., Cl−, Br−, I− ) [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]

Summary

Introduction

The usage of renewable energy, especially solar photovoltaic as an alternative to conventional power generation sources, has enormous potential to reduce global warming significantly. Despite the tremendous advantages of Pb-based perovskite, scientists around the world are trying to replace the toxic Pb with other non-toxic metallic ions without compromising the overall cell efficiency. In this regard, tin (Sn)-based perovskites are gaining popularity because of their suitable bandgap [9], excellent photovoltaic properties [10], cheap fabrication cost [11], excellent performance [12], and environmental friendliness [9].

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Results

Conclusion