Lead-free tin perovskite solar cells

A SUMMARY The development of efficient and stable lead-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is crucial for addressing the concern of environmental pollution from the toxic element lead. In recent years, tin PSCs have emerged as a promising candidate for high-performance, eco-friendly photovoltaic technology with a high certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) of more than 11%, indicating a great potential for future applications. Here, we review the recent efficiency progress of tin PSCs based on the equivalent circuit model of solar cells. We then discuss approaches toward efficiency improvement from the device viewpoint, such as optimizing the band gap, increasing the light-harvesting efficiency and carrier diffusion length, surface passivation, and regulating the interface energy-level alignment. Finally, we point out the possibility of reaching 20% PCE for tin PSCs and issues regarding enlarging the cell size and realizing scalable production in the future. We expect that these perspectives will be helpful for accelerating the commercialization of tin PSCs.

Automated summary

Efficient and stable development of lead-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using tin as a promising candidate for high-performance, eco-friendly photovoltaic technology has been reviewed. Approaches toward efficiency improvement and challenges in reaching higher PCE and scalable production for tin PSCs have been discussed in this paper with the goal of accelerating their commercialization.