Refractory plasmonics enabling 20% efficient lead-free perovskite solar cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising for efficient solar energy conversion.
• Improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs is crucial for their commercial viability.
• Plasmonic nanoparticles offer potential for enhancing light absorption and charge carrier dynamics in solar cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the use of core-shell refractory plasmonic nanoparticles as nanoantennas to enhance PSC efficiency.
• To evaluate the performance of ZrN/SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles in lead-free PSCs.
• To compare the efficiency improvements achieved with ZrN nanoparticles versus ZrN/SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

• Development of an optoelectronic model using the 3D finite element method (FEM) in COMSOL Multiphysics.
• Simulation of optical and electrical parameters for plain, ZrN-decorated, and ZrN/SiO2-modified PSCs.
• Analysis of sunlight directivity control using SiO2 shell coating.

Main Results:

• Plain PSCs exhibit a PCE of 12.9%.
• ZrN nanoparticle decoration boosts PSC PCE to 17%.
• ZrN/SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles achieve an unprecedented PCE of 20% in PSCs.

Conclusions:

• Core-shell refractory plasmonic nanoparticles, specifically ZrN/SiO2, are highly effective nanoantennas for enhancing PSC efficiency.
• The SiO2 shell enables control over sunlight directivity, contributing to improved performance.
• ZrN/SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles represent a significant advancement in achieving high-efficiency lead-free PSCs.