As the effort for greener energy solutions increases, perovskite solar cells are coming out as a superior alternative to traditional silicon panels. New advancements from India reveal a revolutionary bifacial design of perovskite cells that operate without an electron transport layer (ETL) and achieve an efficiency of over 27%.
This innovation is pioneered by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Technology. These advanced cells leverage a bifacial approach, which allows for energy capture on both sides of the cell, enhancing overall performance.
“Our investigation reveals that a potential well-like structure, associated with a small conduction band offset (CBO) at the FTE/perovskite interface holds significant potential for enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device,” the researchers stated.
The researchers also noted that the valence band shift in the hole transport layer can negatively impact performance by promoting recombination. Conversely, the bandgap and electron affinity of the rear transparent electrode are crucial for optimal band alignment and device performance.
The study shows the use of a NiO/Ag/NiO (NAN) tri-layer rear transparent electrode, which enhances charge transport and device efficiency. “The NiO/Ag/NiO (NAN) tri-layer rear transparent electrode provides a better band alignment with the hole transport layer, improving charge transportation and, hence, device performance,” the researchers explained.
Additionally, the thickness of the interfacial defect layer at various interfaces significantly affects the device’s performance. The researchers used the SCAPS-1D simulation package to fine-tune their design, focusing on the optimal configuration of front transparent electrodes, hole transport layers, and rear transparent electrodes.
The study is published in the journal Next Energy.