Numerical Simulations of MAPbI3-based Perovskite Solar Cells with Carbon Back Contact and Various Hole Transport Materials

The performance of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3)-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with carbon back electrode and various organic or inorganic hole transport materials (HTMs), i.e., spiro-OMeTAD, graphene oxide (GO), and copper(I) thiocyanate (CuSCN), have been investigated and optimized using SCAPS-ID device simulation software. Herein, carbon was selected as the back contact due to its potential as a low-cost electrode that has comparable work function with metals. A planar structure comprising a transparent conductive electrode/TiO2/MAPbI3/HTM/carbon was used. We specifically analyze the effect of HTM parameters, such as HTM thickness and interface defect at the HTMs/perovskite interface, on the electrical performance of the perovskite solar cells. After optimizing the above parameters, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.13%, 19.51%, 16.34%, and 20.23% was obtained for the solar cell with no-HTM, spiro-OMeTAD, GO, and CuSCN, respectively. These results showcase the potential of employing GO and CuSCN as HTM in providing alternatives to the high cost and moisture-sensitive spiro-OMeTAD for obtaining perovskite solar cells with high efficiency.