Simulation-guided approach for fabrication of ’perovskite solarcells’ for novel applications: combined theory and experimental approach

Abstract

This thesis examines hybrid halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a promising PV technology that can outperform standard silicon-based solar cells in terms of costeffectiveness, efficiency, and manufacturability. The study investigates light control and charge transport inside the perovskite solar cell stack using a simulation-driven technique. Experiments are analyzed using the Transfer Matrix Model (TMM) and Drift-Diffusion Model (DDM) to uncover key findings. The TMM Python code simplifies optical analysis of the multilayer PSC stack, providing information on light capture and optical losses. We adapted the TMM algorithm to estimate the external quantum efficiency (EQE) and idealized short-circuit current density (Jsc) for different topologies and materials. To solve TMM’s limitations, the SCAPS-1D simulation tool, based on the DDM, was used to simulate open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the cells. This contributes to a better understanding of how photovoltaic parameters are affected by factors such as layer thickness and defect density. A important discovery is a positive relationship between PCE and dopant density in the active perovskite layer above a particular doping density threshold.