Design of Dopant and Lead-Free Novel Perovskite Solar Cell for 16.85% Efficiency

Halide based perovskite offers numerous advantages such as high-efficiency, low-cost, and simple fabrication for flexible solar cells. However, long-term stability as well as environmentally green lead-free applications are the real challenges for their commercialization. Generally, the best reported perovskite solar cells are composed of toxic lead (Pb) and unstable polymer as the absorber and electron/hole-transport layer, respectively. Therefore, in this study, we proposed and simulated the photovoltaic responses of lead-free absorber such as cesium titanium (IV) bromide, Cs2TiBr6 with dopant free electron phenyl-C-61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and dopant free hole transport layer N,N '-Di(1-naphthyl)-N,N '-diphenyl-(1,1 '-biphenyl)-4,4 '-diamine (NPB) for the Ag/BCP/PCBM/Cs2TiBr6/NPB/ITO based perovskite solar cell. After comprehensive optimization of each layer through vigorous simulations with the help of software SCAPS 1D, it is observed that the proposed solar cell can yield maximum power-conversion efficiency up to 16.85%. This efficiency is slightly better than the previously reported power-conversion efficiency of a similar type of perovskite solar cell. We believe that the outcome of this study will not only improve our knowledge, but also triggers further investigation for the dopant and lead-free perovskite solar cell.

Automated summary

Halide based perovskite solar cells offer high efficiency, low cost, and easy fabrication, but long-term stability and environmentally friendly lead-free applications remain challenges for commercialization. This study proposed and simulated the photovoltaic response of a lead-free Cs2TiBr6 absorber and dopant-free PCBM and NPB transport layers for perovskite solar cells. Through comprehensive optimization and simulation, a maximum power conversion efficiency of up to 16.85% was achieved, slightly better than previous similar perovskite solar cells. This study not only enhances knowledge but also encourages further research on dopant and lead-free perovskite solar cells.