Design insights into eco-friendly K2TiI6/MASnI3 perovskite-based tandem solar cell

Abstract

Perovskite materials have gained significant attention due to their exceptional optical and electronic properties, which have transformed solar cell technology. In addition, their high light absorption capacity, long carrier mobility, tunable bandgap, and affordable cost of production make perovskites desirable as ideal materials for solar cell technology. In this article, a double-absorber-based solar cell is designed and optimized using SCAPS-1D solar simulation software. The study used K2TiI6 and MASnI3 organic-inorganic perovskite as the top and bottom adsorber layers, respectively. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the compatible components for the electron-transporting layers (ETL) and hole-transporting layers (HTL). Also, this research aims to determine optimal values for active layer thickness, temperature, absorbing defect density, and metal work functions to enhance photovoltaic cell performance. Upon optimizing the proposed solar cell architecture by changing various elements in the ETL and HTL, the optimal configuration has achieved the FTO/TiO2/K2TiI6/MASnI3/Cu2O/W structure, which demonstrates an open circuit voltage of Voc = 1.138 V, a fill factor (FF) of 82.38 %, a short-circuit current of Jsc = 34.834 mA/cm2, and a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 32.67 %. Progress is achieved by utilizing TiO2 as the ETL and Cu2O as the HTL in the configuration when the thickness of the MASnI3 absorber was set at 1 μm, the K2TiI6 absorber was at 0.15 μm, and back contact metal W (5.22eV). The light and flexible structure of K2TiI6 and MASnI3 perovskite makes it promising for next-generation photovoltaic technology. This model of current silicon and lead-based photovoltaic technologies can be an alternative, making solar energy use more accessible and efficient.