Enhancing efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells with Bi2Te3 interlayer: insights from SCAPS simulation

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained much interest due to their high power conversion efficiencies (PCE). Affordable, accessible, and efficient solar energy is crucial for a sustainable and clean future. In this article, we optimized PSC efficiency and performance with an interlayer (IL) of Bi2Te3 (BT). Cell performance and efficiency were improved by incorporating BT IL with varied thicknesses. BT IL promotes electron transport while protecting the underlying structure from chemical instability, improving device performance. This simple and low-cost technology for producing efficient and stable all-inorganic PSC holds considerable potential as a next-generation renewable energy source. The main focus is optimizing all-inorganic PSC using Solar Cell Simulator Capacitance software (SCAPS). We systematically explore the influence of BT thickness and defect densities on the device performance. The impact of charge carrier transport and overall photovoltaic performance is studied. Our findings reveal that introducing the BT IL leads to improved charge extraction, reduced recombination losses, and enhanced stability in the PSC. The optimized device configuration significantly enhances PCE compared to reference devices without BT IL. This study provides valuable insights into the potential use of BT ILs as a strategy to boost the efficiency and stability of PSCs.