Improving the efficiency of a FTO/PCBM/Cs2AgBiBr6/NiOx/Au lead-free double perovskite solar cell using numerical simulation through optimizing the absorption layer thickness and work function of electrodes

Abstract

Lead-free perovskite solar cells are proposed to reduce environmental toxicity. However, the efficiency of these solar cells is significantly lower than that of those based on lead. The maximum Photo Conversion Efficiency(PCE) reported experimentally for lead free solar cells is 6.37%, which is significantly lower than that of lead-based solar cells. Attempts have been made to improve the PCE of lead-free solar cells using numerical simulations in order to build a lead-free solar cell with the highest efficiency attainable. Recently, a lead-free solar cell with the configuration ITO/SnO2/Cs2AgBiBr6/P3HT/Au and a maximum PCE of 11.69% was numerically investigated. In this study, we suggested a lead-free solar cell structure using FTO/PCBM/Cs2AgBiBr6/NiOx/Au configuration and showed that,when operated in the wavelength range 400–700 nm, a PCE of 15.49% with Jsc = 8.17 mA/cm2, Voc = 2.49 V and FF = 76.16% can be attained by optimizing the thickness of the absorption layer and the work function of the electrode. While in the same configuration the PCE can be increased to 21.92% when operated in the wavelength range of 350–750 nm. This investigation's findings can be used to manufacture more efficient and stable lead-free solar cells forfuturenon-hazardous environmental applications.