Performance analysis of highlyefficient lead-free perovskite solar cells: a numerical insight

Organometallic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are well known for their superior performance, ease of manufacture, and versatility. However, the inclusion of poisonous lead in traditional PSCs has prompted environmental concerns, encouraging research into lead-free alternatives. Despite the potential of lead-free PSCs, their commercial feasibility has been hampered by inefficiencies, demanding rigorous numerical research to discover root causes and optimize power conversion efficiency (PCE). This study focuses on lead-free PSCs designed with Methylammonium Germanium Iodide (MAGeI₃) as a perovskite absorbing layer (PAL) and employs the SCAPS-1D modeling technique to exploit PCE. The device emphasizes a MAGeI₃-based PSC arrangement with sandwich layers made up of TiO₂ as the electron transport material (ETM) and Cu₂O (Copper Oxide) as the hole transport material (HTM). The performance of the device is evaluated using a complete study and optimization of many variables including consecutive active layer thickness, impedance characteristics, capacitance-voltage (C-V) behavior, operating temperature, and defect density. The findings show that proposed PSCs attain an ideal PCE of 26.50%, due to considerable improvements in fill factor (FF) of 79.09%, open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 1.221 V, and short-circuit current density (J_SC) of 27.45 mAcm^− 2. It has been too found that after optimizing several aspects of the suggested structure, the performance metrics show a 90% increase in external quantum efficiency (EQE) a little above the previously reported PSC. This extensive investigation gives significant insights into the elements impacting lead-free PSC performance and paves the road for the creation of more efficient devices. The present work looks into MAGeI₃-based PSCs, discovering crucial optimization variables, progressing lead-free solar cell technology, and supporting sustainable energy options.