Modeling and Analysis of KSnI<sub>3</sub> Perovskite Solar Cells Yielding Power Conversion Efficiency of 30.21%

KSnI<sub>3</sub>-based perovskite solar cells have attracted a lot of research interest due their unique electronic, optical, and thermal properties. In this study, we optimized the performance of various lead-free perovskite solar cell structures—specifically, FTO/Al–ZnO/KSnI<sub>...

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Main Authors: Bonginkosi Vincent Kheswa, Siyabonga Ntokozo Thandoluhle Majola, Hmoud Al-Dmour, Nolufefe Muriel Ndzane, Lucky Makhathini
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/8/580
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author Bonginkosi Vincent Kheswa
Siyabonga Ntokozo Thandoluhle Majola
Hmoud Al-Dmour
Nolufefe Muriel Ndzane
Lucky Makhathini
author_facet Bonginkosi Vincent Kheswa
Siyabonga Ntokozo Thandoluhle Majola
Hmoud Al-Dmour
Nolufefe Muriel Ndzane
Lucky Makhathini
author_sort Bonginkosi Vincent Kheswa
collection DOAJ
description KSnI<sub>3</sub>-based perovskite solar cells have attracted a lot of research interest due their unique electronic, optical, and thermal properties. In this study, we optimized the performance of various lead-free perovskite solar cell structures—specifically, FTO/Al–ZnO/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, FTO/LiTiO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, FTO/ZnO/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, and FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, using the SCAPS-1D simulation tool. The optimization focused on the thicknesses and dopant densities of the rGO, KSnI<sub>3</sub>, Al–ZnO, LiTiO<sub>2</sub>, ZnO, and SnO<sub>2</sub> layers, the thickness of the FTO electrode, as well as the defect density of KSnI<sub>3</sub>. This yielded PCE values of 27.60%, 24.94%, 27.62%, and 30.21% for the FTO/Al–ZnO/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, FTO/LiTiO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, FTO/ZnO/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, and FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se perovskite solar cell configurations, respectively. The FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se device is 7.43% more efficient than the FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/3C-SiC/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/NiO/C device, which is currently the highest performing KSnI<sub>3</sub>-based perovskite solar cell in the literature. Thus, our FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se perovskite solar cell structure is now, by far, the most efficient PSC design. Its best performance is achieved under ideal conditions of a series resistance of 0.5 Ω cm<sup>2</sup>, a shunt resistance of 10<sup>7</sup> Ω cm<sup>2</sup>, and a temperature of 371 K.
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spelling doaj-art-971ea5738b5f44399cdcded65b7a89e12025-08-20T02:28:25ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-04-0115858010.3390/nano15080580Modeling and Analysis of KSnI<sub>3</sub> Perovskite Solar Cells Yielding Power Conversion Efficiency of 30.21%Bonginkosi Vincent Kheswa0Siyabonga Ntokozo Thandoluhle Majola1Hmoud Al-Dmour2Nolufefe Muriel Ndzane3Lucky Makhathini4Department of Physics, University of Johannesburg, 55 Beit Street, Doornfontein 2028, South AfricaDepartment of Physics, University of Johannesburg, 55 Beit Street, Doornfontein 2028, South AfricaDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Mu’tah University, Mu’tah 61710, JordanAcademic Development Centre, University of Johannesburg, 55 Beit Street, Doornfontein 2028, South AfricaDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of the Western Cape, P/B X17, Bellville 7535, South AfricaKSnI<sub>3</sub>-based perovskite solar cells have attracted a lot of research interest due their unique electronic, optical, and thermal properties. In this study, we optimized the performance of various lead-free perovskite solar cell structures—specifically, FTO/Al–ZnO/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, FTO/LiTiO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, FTO/ZnO/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, and FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, using the SCAPS-1D simulation tool. The optimization focused on the thicknesses and dopant densities of the rGO, KSnI<sub>3</sub>, Al–ZnO, LiTiO<sub>2</sub>, ZnO, and SnO<sub>2</sub> layers, the thickness of the FTO electrode, as well as the defect density of KSnI<sub>3</sub>. This yielded PCE values of 27.60%, 24.94%, 27.62%, and 30.21% for the FTO/Al–ZnO/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, FTO/LiTiO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, FTO/ZnO/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se, and FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se perovskite solar cell configurations, respectively. The FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se device is 7.43% more efficient than the FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/3C-SiC/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/NiO/C device, which is currently the highest performing KSnI<sub>3</sub>-based perovskite solar cell in the literature. Thus, our FTO/SnO<sub>2</sub>/KSnI<sub>3</sub>/rGO/Se perovskite solar cell structure is now, by far, the most efficient PSC design. Its best performance is achieved under ideal conditions of a series resistance of 0.5 Ω cm<sup>2</sup>, a shunt resistance of 10<sup>7</sup> Ω cm<sup>2</sup>, and a temperature of 371 K.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/8/580KSnI<sub>3</sub>rGOSnO<sub>2</sub>perovskitesolar
spellingShingle Bonginkosi Vincent Kheswa
Siyabonga Ntokozo Thandoluhle Majola
Hmoud Al-Dmour
Nolufefe Muriel Ndzane
Lucky Makhathini
Modeling and Analysis of KSnI<sub>3</sub> Perovskite Solar Cells Yielding Power Conversion Efficiency of 30.21%
Nanomaterials
KSnI<sub>3</sub>
rGO
SnO<sub>2</sub>
perovskite
solar
title Modeling and Analysis of KSnI<sub>3</sub> Perovskite Solar Cells Yielding Power Conversion Efficiency of 30.21%
title_full Modeling and Analysis of KSnI<sub>3</sub> Perovskite Solar Cells Yielding Power Conversion Efficiency of 30.21%
title_fullStr Modeling and Analysis of KSnI<sub>3</sub> Perovskite Solar Cells Yielding Power Conversion Efficiency of 30.21%
title_full_unstemmed Modeling and Analysis of KSnI<sub>3</sub> Perovskite Solar Cells Yielding Power Conversion Efficiency of 30.21%
title_short Modeling and Analysis of KSnI<sub>3</sub> Perovskite Solar Cells Yielding Power Conversion Efficiency of 30.21%
title_sort modeling and analysis of ksni sub 3 sub perovskite solar cells yielding power conversion efficiency of 30 21
topic KSnI<sub>3</sub>
rGO
SnO<sub>2</sub>
perovskite
solar
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/8/580
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