Performance study of an optimized lead-free Cs₃Sb₂I₉-based perovskite solar cell using SCAPS-1D

Abstract

Commercialization of perovskite solar cells as clean source of energy can augment reduction of carbon footprint. Nonetheless, lead incorporation in the conventional lead cation based perovskites poses an environmental threat. Physical proximity of living organisms to lead point sources exhibits a wide spectrum of negative consequences. Antimony(Sb) is widely considered as one of the promising lead alternatives for its suitable electronic configuration and non-toxic nature. In this study, we have explored the photovoltaic performance of Cs<inf>3</inf>Sb<inf>2</inf>I<inf>9</inf> as absorber for the first time using SCAPS-1D software. A planar, regular architecture with device configuration of FTO/TiO<inf>2</inf>/Cs<inf>3</inf>Sb<inf>2</inf>I<inf>9</inf> /NiOx/Au has been proposed and numerically simulated. Two key material parameters of the absorber layer: thickness and bandgap have been modified to inspect their effect on device performance. Also, the effect of temperature change on photovoltaic performance has been studied. The best optimized device yielded a maximum power conversion efficiency of 17.49%, open-circuit voltage Voc of 1.4 V, short-circuit current density Jsc of 15.33 mA/cm2 and fill factor FF of 80.95%.