Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulation of Perovskite Solar Cells to Probe Film Coverage and Thickness

Behzad Bahrami, Sally Mabrouk, Ashim Gurung, Khan Mamun Reza, Hytham Elbohy, Rajesh Pathak, Gopalan Saianand, Nirmal Adhikari, Ashish Dubey, Sheikh Ifatur Rahman, Quinn Qiao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received considerable attention in recent years due to their low processing cost and high-power conversion efficiency. However, the mechanisms of PSCs are not fully understood. A model based on a probabilistic and statistical approach needs to be developed to simulate, optimize, and predict the photovoltaic (PV) performance of PSC. Herein, the 3D model based on the kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) approach is developed to simulate 3D morphology of perovskite-based solar cells and predict their PV performances and charge dynamics. The developed 3D model incorporates the temporal and physical behavior of perovskites, such as charge generation, transport, and recombination. The KMC simulation results show that pin holes-free perovskite films with a homogenous 400 nm thick perovskite capping layer achieve the highest power conversion efficiency of 20.85%. However, the shortest apparent charge transport time (τt) and the longest apparent charge carrier recombination lifetime (τr) are found for the champion device. PV performance from the fabricated device is used to validate this simulation model. This model can provide a significant conceptual advance in identifying bottlenecks and guiding novel device designs to further improve the performance of perovskite PVs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number2000068
JournalAdvanced Energy and Sustainability Research
Volume2
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2021

Keywords

  • capping layer coverage
  • capping layer thickness
  • full perovskite solar cell operation
  • kinetic Monte Carlo simulation
  • perovskite solar cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Ecology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)

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