Tailoring Defect Density and Active Layer Thickness for Peak Performance in PCBM/AgCdF₃/CuI Photovoltaic Devices: A Path to Sustainable Energy

This work investigates the effect of defect density and active layer thickness on the performance of PCBM/AgCdF<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</inf>/CuI-based photovoltaic devices with an eye toward optimizing critical parameters including V<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">OC</inf>, J<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">SC</inf>, FF, and PCE. Its results reveal that increasing charge carrier recombination lowers V<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">OC</inf>, J<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">SC</inf>, FF, and PCE, so drastically diminishes device efficiency. This emphasizes the requirement of advanced material engineering and defect reduction methods to improve the performance of solar photovoltaic systems. Moreover, it discovered that ideal active layer thickness determines both ideal light absorption and current generation. Variations from the optimal thickness—either too thin or too thick—cause either increased recombination losses or inadequate light absorption, hence reducing efficiency. Future emphasis of this work will be further lowering of defect density by means of inventive material processing techniques including defect passivation and the use of high-purity materials. Moreover, by adopting complementary absorption spectra, incorporating these devices into tandem or hybrid systems could increase general efficiency and hence aid to produce more efficient solar solutions. Moreover, practical implementation and conformity on the long-term viability of these devices under several environmental conditions. Widespread acceptance depends on growing the manufacturing of these devices utilizing reasonably priced technologies like roll-to--roll printing, therefore supporting the worldwide move to sustainable energy and helping to contribute to climate action.