Finite element simulation of perovskite solar cell: A study on efficiency improvement based on structural and material modification

• Published in: Solar energy 2019-02, Vol.179, p.298-306
• Main Authors: Zandi, Soma, Razaghi, Mohammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CH3NH3SnI3; Circuits; Computer simulation; Energy conversion efficiency; Finite element method; Magnesium fluorides; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Perovskite solar cell; Perovskites; Photovoltaic cells; Short circuit currents; Solar cells; Solar energy; Structure architecture
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2018.12.032

•By structural and material modification, the PCE is increased to 17.5%.•Finite element method is used for simulation.•Flat type back and anti-reflector layer is replaced with corrugated type.•CH3NH3SnI3 and CH3NH3PbI3 are used as active layers. In this paper, a 3D finite element method (FEM) technique is exploited to simulate a planar perovskite solar cell. To fully characterize the proposed device, combined optical-electrical modeling method is used. The presented model is validated through comparisons with experimental work. A new structure is introduced which includes a layer of CH3NH3SnI3 as a second absorber layer in the perovskite solar cell (PSC) structure based on CH3NH3PbI3. In this new structure, power conversion efficiency (PCE) is increased from 14.32% to 15.32% when the thickness of CH3NH3SnI3 is 200 nm. The short circuit current (Jsc) is improved by coating 40 nm MgF2 layer which act as an anti reflector layer on the surface of the presented PSC. The influence of periodically corrugated back and anti reflector on the presented PSC is considered. As a result of replacing a flat back and anti reflector layer with periodically corrugated back and anti reflector layer, respectively, the PCE of this new proposed PSC structure with two active layers reaches 17.5%.