Computational insights into wide bandgap lead free perovskite solar cells for silicon based tandem configurations

Abstract The quest for high-efficiency solar cells has led to significant research into lead-free perovskite materials, particularly tin-based perovskites. This study investigates the photovoltaic properties of various compositions of FASn(I1 − xBrx)3 perovskites for potential application in solar c...

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Main Authors: Sofia Tahir, Shammas Mushtaq, James McQueen, Javed Iqbal, Rasmiah S. Almufarij, Rania Saleh Alqurashi, Ruy Sebastian Bonilla, Arslan Ashfaq
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04637-6
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author Sofia Tahir
Shammas Mushtaq
James McQueen
Javed Iqbal
Rasmiah S. Almufarij
Rania Saleh Alqurashi
Ruy Sebastian Bonilla
Arslan Ashfaq
author_facet Sofia Tahir
Shammas Mushtaq
James McQueen
Javed Iqbal
Rasmiah S. Almufarij
Rania Saleh Alqurashi
Ruy Sebastian Bonilla
Arslan Ashfaq
author_sort Sofia Tahir
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The quest for high-efficiency solar cells has led to significant research into lead-free perovskite materials, particularly tin-based perovskites. This study investigates the photovoltaic properties of various compositions of FASn(I1 − xBrx)3 perovskites for potential application in solar cells. Computational simulations explore the influence of absorber layer thickness and bulk defect density on the performance of lead-free single-junction perovskite solar cells. Additionally, a two-terminal monolithic tandem solar cell configuration comprising FASn(I0.75Br0.25)3 for the top cell and silicon for the bottom cell is proposed and analyzed. The proposed tandem device, with a 1.66 eV perovskite top cell and a 1.12 eV c-Si-based heterojunction, achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 33.39%, an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 2.04 V, a short-circuit current density (JSC) of 21.14 mA/cm2, and a fill factor (FF) of 77.26%. For comparison, the perovskite top cell alone achieved a VOC of 1.36 V, JSC of 20.44 mA/cm2, FF of 75.51%, and PCE of 21.07%. The bottom cell under AM 1.5G illumination exhibited a VOC of 0.68 V, JSC of 40.36 mA/cm2, FF of 80.18%, and PCE of 22.05%. Under a filtered spectrum, the bottom cell produced a VOC of 0.67 V, JSC of 30.46 mA/cm2, FF of 79.13%, and PCE of 16.33%. This performance comparison highlights the enhanced efficiency, voltage, and overall stability provided by the tandem structure over individual cells. This examination encompassed the variation of absorber layer thickness, J-V curves under illumination, quantum efficiency, energy band diagrams, filtered spectra, and tandem photovoltaic parameters governing the conversion efficiency. The study demonstrates the potential of lead-free perovskite/silicon tandem devices, showcasing their promise for the future development of high-efficiency and stable solar cells.
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spelling doaj-art-da697886748b449cb337de773cebabca2025-08-20T02:05:47ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-04637-6Computational insights into wide bandgap lead free perovskite solar cells for silicon based tandem configurationsSofia Tahir0Shammas Mushtaq1James McQueen2Javed Iqbal3Rasmiah S. Almufarij4Rania Saleh Alqurashi5Ruy Sebastian Bonilla6Arslan Ashfaq7Department of Physics, Government College University FaisalabadDepartment of Physics, Government College University FaisalabadDepartment of Materials, University of OxfordDepartment of Physics, Government College University FaisalabadDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Al-Baha UniversityDepartment of Materials, University of OxfordDepartment of Physics, Government College University FaisalabadAbstract The quest for high-efficiency solar cells has led to significant research into lead-free perovskite materials, particularly tin-based perovskites. This study investigates the photovoltaic properties of various compositions of FASn(I1 − xBrx)3 perovskites for potential application in solar cells. Computational simulations explore the influence of absorber layer thickness and bulk defect density on the performance of lead-free single-junction perovskite solar cells. Additionally, a two-terminal monolithic tandem solar cell configuration comprising FASn(I0.75Br0.25)3 for the top cell and silicon for the bottom cell is proposed and analyzed. The proposed tandem device, with a 1.66 eV perovskite top cell and a 1.12 eV c-Si-based heterojunction, achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 33.39%, an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 2.04 V, a short-circuit current density (JSC) of 21.14 mA/cm2, and a fill factor (FF) of 77.26%. For comparison, the perovskite top cell alone achieved a VOC of 1.36 V, JSC of 20.44 mA/cm2, FF of 75.51%, and PCE of 21.07%. The bottom cell under AM 1.5G illumination exhibited a VOC of 0.68 V, JSC of 40.36 mA/cm2, FF of 80.18%, and PCE of 22.05%. Under a filtered spectrum, the bottom cell produced a VOC of 0.67 V, JSC of 30.46 mA/cm2, FF of 79.13%, and PCE of 16.33%. This performance comparison highlights the enhanced efficiency, voltage, and overall stability provided by the tandem structure over individual cells. This examination encompassed the variation of absorber layer thickness, J-V curves under illumination, quantum efficiency, energy band diagrams, filtered spectra, and tandem photovoltaic parameters governing the conversion efficiency. The study demonstrates the potential of lead-free perovskite/silicon tandem devices, showcasing their promise for the future development of high-efficiency and stable solar cells.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04637-6Tandem structureEfficiencyLead freePerovskiteSiliconHalide engineering
spellingShingle Sofia Tahir
Shammas Mushtaq
James McQueen
Javed Iqbal
Rasmiah S. Almufarij
Rania Saleh Alqurashi
Ruy Sebastian Bonilla
Arslan Ashfaq
Computational insights into wide bandgap lead free perovskite solar cells for silicon based tandem configurations
Scientific Reports
Tandem structure
Efficiency
Lead free
Perovskite
Silicon
Halide engineering
title Computational insights into wide bandgap lead free perovskite solar cells for silicon based tandem configurations
title_full Computational insights into wide bandgap lead free perovskite solar cells for silicon based tandem configurations
title_fullStr Computational insights into wide bandgap lead free perovskite solar cells for silicon based tandem configurations
title_full_unstemmed Computational insights into wide bandgap lead free perovskite solar cells for silicon based tandem configurations
title_short Computational insights into wide bandgap lead free perovskite solar cells for silicon based tandem configurations
title_sort computational insights into wide bandgap lead free perovskite solar cells for silicon based tandem configurations
topic Tandem structure
Efficiency
Lead free
Perovskite
Silicon
Halide engineering
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04637-6
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