Optimization of Tin-Based Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells Using SCAPS-1D: Investigating ETL and HTL Materials for Enhanced Efficiency

The Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS-1D) software is used to investigate the optimal use of methylammonium tin chloride as the active material in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a new class of solar cells. The formulation of PSC is as follows: FTO/ETL/CH3NH3SnCl3/HTL/Au. To improve the performance of perovskite solar cells, various materials, such as IGZO, SnO2, TiO2, and ZnO, are tested as electron transport layers (ETLs), and Spiro-OMeTAD, NiO, Cu2O, and CuO are tested as hole transport layers (HTLs). The study shows that among these ETLs, SnO2 records the highest potential to achieve high energy conversion (η) when combined with Spiro-OMeTAD as the HTLs. In addition, the total defects (Nt) were studied in the PSC by keeping Nt constant in the first two layers and varying Nt in the third layer. The results show that PSC is indeed efficient; It is desirable to have a Nt of (1015 cm-3) for the ETL (SnO2), (109 cm-3) for the absorber layer (CH3NH3SnCl3), and (1014 cm-3) for the HTL (SpiroOMeTAD). The power conversion efficiency has increased for this output value to (13.68 %) with an open circuit voltage (Voc) of (1.6 V). This development aims to enhance the performance of environmentally friendly, lead-free solar cells based on tin-based perovskite materials.