Optimization of an inorganic lead free RbGeI3 based perovskite solar cell by SCAPS-1D simulation

• Published in: Solar energy Vol. 236; pp. 802 - 821
• Main Authors: Pindolia, Grishma, Shinde, Satyam M., Jha, Prafulla K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2022; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Absorbers; Commercialization; Density; Doping; Energy conversion efficiency; Inorganic charge transport layers; Lead content; Lead free; Optimization; Perovskite solar cells; Perovskites; Photovoltaic cells; Quantum efficiency; RbGeI3; Renewable energy; Shunt resistance; Simulation; Solar cells; Solar energy; Thickness; Toxicity; Inorganic charge transport layers; RbGeI3; Perovskite solar cells; Lead-free
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2022.03.053

•Lead-free perovskite solar cell based on RbGeI3.•All inorganic perovskite solar cell.•Non-toxic renewable energy. The toxic lead component of perovskite solar cells poses a hindrance to their commercialization. The state-of-art organic HTM, Spiro-OMeTAD has a high synthetic cost because of its complex synthesis procedure. In the present work, an all inorganic, lead free n-i-p planar RbGeI3-based PSC was demonstrated through SCAPS-1D simulation. The effect of various HTL and ETL materials, their thickness, thickness of perovskite layer, ETL doping concentration, HTL doping concentration, doping concentration of the absorber, defect density of perovskite layer, defect density of ETL/absorber and absorber/HTL interface, various back contacts, series resistance, shunt resistance and temperature on the performance of perovskite solar cell (PSC) has been analysed. The optimized device exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.11%, fill factor (FF) of 63.68% and quantum efficiency (QE) of 90.3% in the visible range. This study demonstrates the potential of RbGeI3 as a perovskite material to achieve toxicity free renewable energy.