Halide Composition Engineered a Non-Toxic Perovskite–Silicon Tandem Solar Cell with 30.7% Conversion Efficiency

Abstract

Since the conversion efficiency of silicon (Si)-based solar cells stagnates at 26.7% in the literature, extensive research and development activities are carried out on perovskite silicon-based tandem solar cells. However, the presence of lead (Pb) and the instability of perovskite prevent their large-scale implementation in the photovoltaic industry. Therefore, it is important to replace the hazardous material (Pb) in perovskite top cells to design non-toxic perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells. The current work yields much-needed studies to develop a non-toxic perovskite–silicon-based tandem solar cell. For the first time, methylammonium tin mixed halide (MASnI3–x Br x )-based materials are comprehensively investigated and optimized with respect to different halide compositions, absorber layer thickness, and bulk defect density in standalone configurations, followed by the development of a lead-free MASnI2Br1–Si-based tandem solar cell. The transfer matrix method and current matching techniques are used to design the two-terminal monolithic tandem cell, which showed a maximum conversion efficiency of 30.7% with an open circuit voltage (V OC) of 2.14 V. The results outlined in this manuscript will pave the way for the progress of highly efficient, non-toxic perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells.

Design and Simulation of Cs2BiAgI6 Double Perovskite Solar Cells with Different Electron Transport Layers for Efficiency Enhancement

“…Understanding the fundamentals of solar cells is made simpler through numerical modeling, which also provides valuable insights into determining the key factors that control the device’s performance. One-dimensional equations governing the semiconductor material characteristics under steady-state circumstances can be numerically solved using Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator One Dimension (SCAPS-1D) software. − …”

Numerical simulation and optimization of a CsPbI3-based perovskite solar cell to enhance the power conversion efficiency

“…The SCAPS-1D program uses numerical methods to resolve important one-dimensional semiconductor equations. 44–47 The Poisson's equation (eqn (1)) 48 relates the charges to the electrostatic potential as shown in eqn (1).Here, ψ represents the electric potential, ε r represents the relative permittivity, ε 0 represents the permittivity of free space, N D and N A represent the densities of ionized donors and acceptors, respectively, n and p represent the electron and hole densities, respectively, ρ p and ρ n represent the hole and electron distributions, respectively, and q represents the electronic charge. Due to the simultaneous analysis of recombination, generation, drift, and diffusion, the continuity equation is known to be the governing equation.…”

“…The SCAPS-1D program uses numerical methods to resolve important onedimensional semiconductor equations. [44][45][46][47] The Poisson's equation (eqn (1)) 48 relates the charges to the electrostatic potential as shown in eqn (1).…”

Numerical Analysis in DFT and SCAPS-1D on the Influence of Different Charge Transport Layers of CsPbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cells

“…An effective way to combat the instability of the PSCs is to replace the organic phase cation with an inorganic cation like Cs + . Many cesium lead halide perovskites have been produced that may be utilized for PSCs, including CsPbI 3 , CsPbBr 3 , and CsPbCl 3 , which can tolerate temperatures up to 300 °C and have greater moisture and thermal stability than hybrid perovskites. , CsPbCl 3 has a large band gap of over 3.0 eV, which renders it unsuitable for PSC since it will produce poor PCE. Due to the low band gap of 1.7 eV, CsPbI 3 has produced a maximum PCE of ∼19%.…”