Numerical simulation of novel lead-free Cs3Sb2Br9 absorber-based highly efficient perovskite solar cell

Abstract In this paper, a novel Cs3Sb2Br9 perovskite is presented for the absorber layer of perovskite solar cells (PSC). A planar structure as ITO/TiO2/Absorber/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au with Cs3Sb2Br9 as a light harvesting material is numerically simulated using SCAPS-1D simulation software. Initially, the optimization is performed on the various material parameters of absorber layer such as thickness, bulk defect density, relative permittivity and bandgap. The obtained optimal values for these parameters are 1000 nm, 1 × 1012 cm−3, 10, and 2.0 eV, respectively. Finally, the proposed PSC structure with optimized absorber layer is achieved the maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.69% whereas VOC as 1.31 V, JSC as 13.67 mA/cm2, FF as 87.61%, and QE of ∼100% at 390 nm wavelength near the visible range of solar spectrum. The obtained results of numerical simulations with Cs3Sb2Br9 as absorber layer endorse the novel proposed PSC material as the main body of PSC and opens a better route towards the development of a cost effective, highly efficient (Pb) lead-free and environment friendly PSC.