Computational analysis of lead free and highly efficient intrinsic Ch3NH3SnI3 based solar cell with suitable transport layers

Abstract

The lead free intrinsic Ch3NH3SnI3 perovskite is used as absorber material in solar cell along with different ETL and HTL. The SCPAS 1D software is utilized for modelling and analysis of the solar cell. The used ETLs are SnO2, TiO2, ZnO, CdS and IGZO and HTLs are Cu2O, CuI, NiO, CuSCN and MaSnBr3. The investigation revealed that the most suitable ETL is TiO2 and HTL is Cu2O. However, we have chosen ZnO as ETL for the proposed solar cell owing to its advantage over TiO2 and little observed difference on the efficiency. Further investigation has been made to analyze the impact of change in absorber thickness and defect on solar cell parameters. The interface defect at the ETL and HTL junctions have also been analyses by varying its concentration in the range of 1011–1016 cm−3. The results indicate that absorber defects affect the performance of the solar cell more drastically. The acceptor and donor density of the intrinsic perovskite layer is also varied along with variation in ETL and HTL thickness. The effect of altercation in electron affinity of the ETL is also analyzed and results indicate that higher EA leads to saturation in efficiency. Later, the work function of the back contact metal is varied and it is revealed that higher work function results in better efficiency due to ohmic contact formation at the HTL. The temperature of the device is also altered and it is concluded that the solar cell works best at room temperature. Finally, series resistance of the solar cell is changed and device performance is observed. The estimated higher efficiency of the solar cell using the analysis could be a gateway towards achieving green and sustainable energy.

Keywords

• Perovskite
• Solar cell
• Defects
• SCAPS 1D
• Efficiency