Current status of Pb-free PSCs and infer the highest achievable PCE via numerical modeling, and optimization of novel structure FAMASnGeI₃ based PSCs

• Main Authors: Hamzah, Hairul Mardiah, Miah, Md Helal, Hossen, Md Jakir, Soin, Norhayati, Abdul Wahab, Yasmin, Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin, Islam, Mohammad Aminul
• Format: Article
• Published: IOP Publishing 2024
• Subjects: QC Physics; TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/45175/; https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ad4fe0
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

In this study, we have extensively investigated an eco-friendly perovskite-based solar cell via a theoretical approach and numerical simulation. For that purpose, firstly, we have conducted a brief literature review to decipher the status of Pb-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The literature review reflects that the research on Pb-free PSCs is going on with immense interest. By acquiring inspiration from the literature review, we have designed a Pb-free hybrid PSC with a structure of FTO/CdS/FAMASnGeI(3)/NiO/Ag utilizing SCAPS-1D software. The structure has been optimized by fine-tuning the thickness, and defect density of the light-absorbing layer and the thickness, donor density, and band gap of ETL. The optimized structure of Pb-free perovskite material displays promising results with PCE of 30.05 %, Voc of 0.964 V, fill factor of 82.35%, and current density of 27.77 mA cm(-2). In addition, we have also found that the temperature and light intensity play a crucial role in the performance of the proposed PSC. We have found quantum efficiency as high as 98% for 360 nm thickness of the perovskite absorber layer. Finally, from the dark J-V analysis, lower current density (6.73x10(-8) mA cm(-2)), less series resistance (2.8x10(-5) Omega cm(2)) as well as high shunt resistance (11412.67 Omega cm(2)) were witnessed, which is expectable for a promising solar cell. Our inclusive exploration unveiled the fact that the suggested novel architecture (FTO/CdS/FAMASnGeI(3)/NiO/Ag) can be considered an exceptional design for PSCs with greater efficiency and practical suitability.