Current Progressand Future Prospective of Perovskite Solar Cells: A comprehensive Review

Abstract

In the present study, a topical review of recent advances in the perovskite solar cell (PSC) is discussed in detail. Organolead halide perovskite materials have many qualities to make them suitable for the fabrication of low solar cells. High absorption coefficient, long charge carrier diffusion length, low temperature processing and ambipolar behaviour are the main advantages of perovskite materials. The efficiency of the perovskite solar cell is considerably increased from 3.9-22.1%since 2009. In the present review, firstly, the fundamentals and progress in the field of PSC are discussed. The types and structures of PSC are also discussed. Three are four main layers (electron transport layer (ETL), photo-active layer (perovskite layer), the hole transport layer (HTL) and the back contact (the counter electrode)) present in PSC structure. Each and every layer has their importance and it plays an important role to make a low cost solar cell. So study is also focused on the ETL/HTL free PSC. Although the efficiency of PSC is increasing every year, the reproducibility, stability and large scale production are the main challenges. So, the use of mixed cations in active layer to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of PSC are also discussed in detail. Pb-free PSCs are also discussed rigorously to make harmless PSC. The processing cost of metal electrode deposition in PSC is very costly. So, the replacement of the metal electrode by some other low cost counter electrode is discussed comprehensively in the present review. Lastly, some future research scope of PSC is also discussed.