The Effect of CuSCN Concentration Variations in Activated Carbon Electrode on the Perovskite Solar Cells Performance

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells called fourth-generation photovoltaic technology have developed rapidly because of their outstanding efficiency and low-temperature manufacturing process. One of the layers used in perovskite-based solar cells is the counter electrode. Activated carbon is one type of carbon that has the potential to replace metal as an electrode material due to its good chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, low cost, and abundance. Apart from that, CuSCN is a famous hole transport material because of its wide bandgap, good stability, and high hole mobility. Many studies have tried to combine the electrode material with hole transfer material in an effort to improve the device performance. This paper presents an investigation of the perovskite solar cell device performance with CuSCN-incorporated carbon electrodes. Concentration variations of CuSCN in carbon electrodes were carried out with values of 0.5%, 1%, and 2%. Different levels of CuSCN concentration in carbon electrodes resulted in different properties and performance of the device. Adding CuSCN with a concentration of 1% in carbon electrode yielded the best device performance with an efficiency of 0.0035%, fill factor of 0.32, $\mathrm{I}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{c}}$ of 0.11 mA, and $\mathrm{V}_{\mathrm{o}\mathrm{c}}$ of 0.14 V. Correctly combining the carbon material with hole transport material served a better the energy level alignment and hole transport properties.