Enhancing Planar Perovskite Solar Cell Performance by SnO2 Interface Treatment Using Urea as an Additive: A Comparative Study of Simple, Low-Temperature Approaches

For perovskite solar cells (PSCs), SnO2 is considered to be the most promising electron transport layer (ETL) material. Further, PSC performance enhancement is made possible through interface amendments, which were reported by several functional groups. Herein, successful n-type urea treatment of SnO2 is demonstrated by simple, low-temperature approaches of solution and spin-coating preparation. Considering the urea spin-coating and solution processes, the conductivity and electron transport of urea-doped SnO2 films have been dominantly improved, leading to enhanced PSC characteristics. Surface spin-coating is a more efficient method to add urea to SnO2 in comparison with precursor doping. On comparison, the PSCs with the surface spin-coated urea for SnO2 ETL offer the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.50%. However, under the same circumstances, the PSC made with the pure SnO2 ETL offers a PCE of 14.04%. The outcomes show a technique for improving the characteristics of PSCs. In the final part, to assess the impact of interfacial treatment on the performance of planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs), planar devices were simulated using Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS) software. The simulation incorporated crucial parameters from experimental analysis and reliable sources, ensuring reliability in the modeling process.

Automated summary

Successful n-type urea treatment of SnO2 was demonstrated by simple, low-temperature approaches of solution and spin-coating preparation, leading to enhanced characteristics of PSCs. PSCs with surface spin-coated urea for SnO2 ETL offer the best power conversion efficiency.