Mixed Chalcogenide‐Halides for Stable, Lead‐Free and Defect‐Tolerant Photovoltaics: Computational Screening and Experimental Validation of CuBiSCl2 with Ideal Band Gap

Abstract

AbstractLead halide perovskites have emerged as promising photovoltaic (PV) materials owing to their superior optoelectronic properties. However, they suffer from poor stability and potential toxicity. Here, computational screening with experimental synthesis is combined to explore stable, lead‐free, and defect‐tolerant PV materials. Heavy cations with lone‐pair electrons and mixed anions of chalcogens and halogens as a descriptor for simultaneous realization of defect tolerance and high stability are adopted. Together with the criteria of possessing direct band gap and optimal gap value, the inorganic material database is screened and CuBiSCl2 in the post‐perovskite structure is identified with an ideal band gap of 1.37 eV. The electronic structure and defect calculations suggest its defect‐tolerant characteristics. By optical absorption measurement, its band gap is confirmed to be ≈1.44 eV, with strong absorption near the band edge. The material is stable against thermal decomposition up to 300 °C and can survive from 25 days of storage at ambient conditions with 60% relative humidity. Prototype solar cells are fabricated and demonstrate an open circuit voltage of 1.09 V and a power conversion efficiency of 1.00%. With the excellent properties above, CuBiSCl2 is proposed to be a promising candidate for PV application.