Advanced Optoelectronic Modeling and Optimization of HTL-Free FASnI₃/C60 Perovskite Solar Cell Architecture for...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Semiconductor Physics

Background:

• Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) offer promising photovoltaic (PV) technology.
• Traditional PSCs often involve complex and costly hole transport layers (HTLs).
• Developing simplified, cost-effective, and efficient PSC architectures is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present and simulate a novel HTL-free perovskite solar cell (PSC) architecture.
• To engineer and evaluate the device performance of this simplified PSC structure.
• To optimize key physical parameters for enhanced photovoltaic performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 1D simulation framework with the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS).
• Employed formamide tin iodide (FASnI3) as the active layer and fullerene (C60) as the electron transport layer (ETL).
• Systematically modulated parameters including active layer thickness, defect densities, ETL properties, and back-contact work function.

Main Results:

• The HTL-free configuration demonstrated improved I-V characteristics and higher PCE compared to HTL configurations.
• Optimized parameters led to a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.63%, with V_oc of 0.87 V, J_sc of 27.86 mA/cm², and FF of 81%.
• Key optimizations included an active layer thickness of 1500 nm, ultra-thin C60 ETL (10 nm) with 10^19 cm⁻³ carrier concentration, low defect densities, and a 5 eV back-contact work function.

Conclusions:

• The HTL-free FASnI3-based PSC architecture offers a simplified, cost-effective, and highly efficient PV solution.
• This lead-free PSC design shows significant potential for advancing sustainable and economical solar energy technologies.
• The study highlights the importance of optimizing material properties and interfaces for high-performance perovskite solar cells.