HPMC-Mediated ZnCl2 Doping Possible Substitution of Pb2+ for Environment-Friendly Halide Perovskite Solar Cell Fabrication

Research on halide perovskite solar cells is a rapidly evolving and active area of study within the field of photovoltaics. Replacement of lead from halide perovskite solar cells is a prerequisite due to its toxicity. In this research, an efficient and low surface defect of Zn2+ incorporated hybrid perovskite material was demonstrated, where Pb2+ is partially substituted with transitional metal Zinc. Herein, we report the incorporation of dopant material ZnCl2 with synthetic cellulose HPMC (Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose) as a dopant to improve the surface morphology, crystallinity, and partial substitution of Pb2+ with Zn2+. Samples were prepared with different composition of ZnCl2 doping assisted with HPMC in MAPbI3 (methylammonium lead triiodide) for perovskite layer preparation. A device assembly of layer-by-layer architecture constituting FTO/TiO2(ETL)/MAPbI3/CuSCN(HTL) was fabricated for the experimental analysis. The as-prepared perovskite samples were characterized using different analytical tools to investigate optical absorption property, crystalline structure, functional group interaction, and surface morphology, respectively. Finally, the electrical performance of the perovskite solar cells was tested under AM 1.5 G solar illumination, and the data affirms that 10 wt% ZnCl2 doping assisted with HPMC media exhibits optimum performance with improved film quality.

Automated summary

This research demonstrates an efficient and low surface defect Zn2+-incorporated hybrid perovskite material, where Pb2+ in halide perovskite solar cells is partially substituted with Zn2+. By doping dopant material ZnCl2 with synthetic cellulose HPMC, the surface morphology, crystallinity, and partial substitution of Pb2+ with Zn2+ were improved. The optimized composition of 10 wt% ZnCl2 doping assisted with HPMC media shows the best performance with improved film quality.