SCAPS study on the effect of various hole transport layer on highly efficient 31.86% eco-friendly CZTS based solar cell

Abstract

Copper Zinc Tin Sulphide (CZTS) is a propitious semiconductor for active absorber material in thin-film solar cells (SCs). Here, SC architecture comprising FTO/ZnS/CZTS/variable HTLs/Au is discussed. Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and gold (Au) are used as front and back contacts, respectively. Zinc sulphide (ZnS) is used as an active electron transport layer (ETL), while different Cu-based materials (Cu2O, CuO, CuI, and CuSCN) are used as hole transport layers (HTL). A one-dimensional solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D) is utilized to simulate the SC structure. Among different Cu-based HTLs, Cu2O is preferred as a potential candidate for high cell performance of CZTS-based SC. The effects of various layer parameters such as thickness, doping density, and carrier concentrations, electron affinity of HTL and absorber, respectively, are also discussed. After optimization of the device, variation of operating temperature and the effect of series and shunt resistance are also taken into consideration. The optimized results of thickness and acceptor concentration (NA) of absorber material are 1.5 µm and approx. 1.0 × 1019 cm−3, respectively. In addition, the function of HTL (with and without) in the designed SC structure is also studied. Capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristics are also discussed to get an insight of built-in potential. We have achieved cell performances viz. efficiency = 31.86%, short circuit current density = 32.05 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage = 1.19 V, and fill factor = 83.37%.

SCAPS 1D based study of hole and electron transfer layers to improve MoS2–ZrS2 solar cell efficiency

“…The front contact is established with FTO, possessing a work function of 4•4 eV, while the back contact is made using Au, that has a work function of 5•1 eV. The cell's efficiency is significantly influenced by the work function of the metal employed for contact [21,32,33]. Metals like Pt and Au, which boast higher work functions compared to others, demonstrate superior efficiencies.…”

“…Many p-type materials serve as HTL, while n-type materials function as ETL in cell fabrication. Currently, copper-based materials, addressing issues such as low open circuit voltage (V oc ) and improved efficiency, are reported [21]. Materials with high mobility, conductivity, optical transmittance, low cost, and eco-friendly characteristics are advantageous for these layers.…”

“…Materials with high mobility, conductivity, optical transmittance, low cost, and eco-friendly characteristics are advantageous for these layers. Several materials, including CuO, Cu 2 O, and CuI, are been considered, among which CuO is providing better results in both HTL and as an absorbing layer [21,22].…”

Optimization of Tin-Doped Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells

“…SCAPS (solar cell capacitance simulator) is a numerical simulation software for of heterojunction thin film solar cells. It has been developed at the University of Ghent in Belgium with LabWindows/CVI from National Instruments by Marc Burgelman et al [13]. The hybrid perovskites are characterized by a direct gap and a high absorption coefficient [14].…”

Investigation of electrical properties of CH3NH3Sn(I1-xClx)3 perovskite solar cell by SCAPS-1D simulation

“…PSCs performance has increased tremendously recently. It has shown that photovoltaic power conversion efficiency has jumped from 3.8% in 2009 [3] to 29.8% in 2023 [4][5]. Lead-based perovskite materials showed a high power conversion efficiency value but are not eco-friendly, which is harmful to humans and the environment [6].…”