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Defect State Dynamics in Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells for Enhanced Efficiency

Received: 14 October 2024     Accepted: 4 November 2024     Published: 25 December 2024
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Abstract

Perovskite photovoltaics have emerged as highly promising candidates for next-generation solar cells, achieving impressive power conversion efficiencies surpassing 22%, rivaling traditional silicon solar cells. Their advantages include lower manufacturing costs, tunable bandgaps, and potential for flexible, lightweight designs. However, the widespread use of lead (Pb) in perovskite absorbers raises significant environmental and health concerns. As a solution, researchers are exploring tin (Sn) as a non-toxic alternative due to its comparable electronic configuration, which may enable it to substitute lead without substantially compromising efficiency. In this study, SCAPS-1D software was employed to simulate lead-free tin-based perovskite solar cells, with a focus on analyzing how varying interface defect densities affect cell performance. Key cell parameters examined included the doping concentration of the perovskite absorption layer and the defect density within the perovskite bulk. Defect density is critical as it creates recombination centers that impede charge transport and decrease device efficiency. Findings from this simulation show that reducing defect density in the perovskite absorption layer notably improves overall cell performance, enhancing charge carrier mobility and reducing recombination losses. To further investigate interface effects, two specific interfaces were introduced: the TiO₂/perovskite interface, which serves as an electron transport layer, and the perovskite/hole transport material (HTM) interface. Analysis revealed that the TiO₂/perovskite interface plays a more substantial role in device performance, primarily due to its influence on carrier density and recombination rates, which are higher at this interface and critical in determining cell efficiency. Optimization of these parameters enabled the simulation of a device reaching a maximum efficiency of 24.63%. This research highlights the importance of interface engineering and defect management in tin-based, lead-free perovskite solar cells, demonstrating a feasible pathway toward environmentally sustainable, high-efficiency photovoltaics.

Published in International Journal of Materials Science and Applications (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12
Page(s) 113-120
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Simulation, Perovskite, Solar Cell, Efficiency

References
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  • APA Style

    Antwi, L. -. O., Huang, S. (2024). Defect State Dynamics in Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells for Enhanced Efficiency. International Journal of Materials Science and Applications, 13(6), 113-120. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12

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    Antwi, L. -. O.; Huang, S. Defect State Dynamics in Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells for Enhanced Efficiency. Int. J. Mater. Sci. Appl. 2024, 13(6), 113-120. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12

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    AMA Style

    Antwi L-O, Huang S. Defect State Dynamics in Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells for Enhanced Efficiency. Int J Mater Sci Appl. 2024;13(6):113-120. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12,
      author = {Louis - Oppong Antwi and Shihua Huang},
      title = {Defect State Dynamics in Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells for Enhanced Efficiency
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Materials Science and Applications},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {113-120},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmsa.20241306.12},
      abstract = {Perovskite photovoltaics have emerged as highly promising candidates for next-generation solar cells, achieving impressive power conversion efficiencies surpassing 22%, rivaling traditional silicon solar cells. Their advantages include lower manufacturing costs, tunable bandgaps, and potential for flexible, lightweight designs. However, the widespread use of lead (Pb) in perovskite absorbers raises significant environmental and health concerns. As a solution, researchers are exploring tin (Sn) as a non-toxic alternative due to its comparable electronic configuration, which may enable it to substitute lead without substantially compromising efficiency. In this study, SCAPS-1D software was employed to simulate lead-free tin-based perovskite solar cells, with a focus on analyzing how varying interface defect densities affect cell performance. Key cell parameters examined included the doping concentration of the perovskite absorption layer and the defect density within the perovskite bulk. Defect density is critical as it creates recombination centers that impede charge transport and decrease device efficiency. Findings from this simulation show that reducing defect density in the perovskite absorption layer notably improves overall cell performance, enhancing charge carrier mobility and reducing recombination losses. To further investigate interface effects, two specific interfaces were introduced: the TiO₂/perovskite interface, which serves as an electron transport layer, and the perovskite/hole transport material (HTM) interface. Analysis revealed that the TiO₂/perovskite interface plays a more substantial role in device performance, primarily due to its influence on carrier density and recombination rates, which are higher at this interface and critical in determining cell efficiency. Optimization of these parameters enabled the simulation of a device reaching a maximum efficiency of 24.63%. This research highlights the importance of interface engineering and defect management in tin-based, lead-free perovskite solar cells, demonstrating a feasible pathway toward environmentally sustainable, high-efficiency photovoltaics.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Defect State Dynamics in Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells for Enhanced Efficiency
    
    AU  - Louis - Oppong Antwi
    AU  - Shihua Huang
    Y1  - 2024/12/25
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12
    T2  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
    JF  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
    JO  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
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    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20241306.12
    AB  - Perovskite photovoltaics have emerged as highly promising candidates for next-generation solar cells, achieving impressive power conversion efficiencies surpassing 22%, rivaling traditional silicon solar cells. Their advantages include lower manufacturing costs, tunable bandgaps, and potential for flexible, lightweight designs. However, the widespread use of lead (Pb) in perovskite absorbers raises significant environmental and health concerns. As a solution, researchers are exploring tin (Sn) as a non-toxic alternative due to its comparable electronic configuration, which may enable it to substitute lead without substantially compromising efficiency. In this study, SCAPS-1D software was employed to simulate lead-free tin-based perovskite solar cells, with a focus on analyzing how varying interface defect densities affect cell performance. Key cell parameters examined included the doping concentration of the perovskite absorption layer and the defect density within the perovskite bulk. Defect density is critical as it creates recombination centers that impede charge transport and decrease device efficiency. Findings from this simulation show that reducing defect density in the perovskite absorption layer notably improves overall cell performance, enhancing charge carrier mobility and reducing recombination losses. To further investigate interface effects, two specific interfaces were introduced: the TiO₂/perovskite interface, which serves as an electron transport layer, and the perovskite/hole transport material (HTM) interface. Analysis revealed that the TiO₂/perovskite interface plays a more substantial role in device performance, primarily due to its influence on carrier density and recombination rates, which are higher at this interface and critical in determining cell efficiency. Optimization of these parameters enabled the simulation of a device reaching a maximum efficiency of 24.63%. This research highlights the importance of interface engineering and defect management in tin-based, lead-free perovskite solar cells, demonstrating a feasible pathway toward environmentally sustainable, high-efficiency photovoltaics.
    
    VL  - 13
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