Achieving highly efficient and stable MAPbI3 planar solar cell by embedding Cs+, Fe2+, and Cd2+ metal inorganic cations in perovskite structure

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been attracted the attention of many researchers due to their high conversion efficiency, low manufacturing cost, easy manufacturing steps, high light absorption, and the possibility of changing the photo electronic properties by modifying the chemical structure. Despite the mentioned advantages, the low stability of PSCs and toxicity of lead in the perovskite layer were the challenging issues in this field. In this regard, the use of mixed cation and mixed halide perovskite compounds with high crystal quality, efficiency, and stability has attracted enormous attention. In this project, Fe2+, Cd2+, and Cs+ cations with various contents (Fe2+ + Cd2+: 5% and 10%; Cs+: 5% and 10%) were partially replaced the Pb2+ and CH3NH3+ cations, respectively in the MAPbI3 perovskite structure through a two-step process using spin-coating. The as-synthesized [CsyMA1-yPb1-a-bFeaCdbI3-2aCl2a], (a+b): 5, 10%, y: 5, 10%) perovskites were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The optical properties of prepared compounds were investigated by ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The photovoltaic behavior as well as stability of solar cells containing MAPbI3, [CsyMA1-yPb1-a-bFeaCdbI3-2aCl2a], (a+b): 5%, y: 5%), and [CsyMA1-yPb1-a-bFeaCdbI3-2aCl2a], (a+b): 10%, y: 10%) perovskites as active layers were evaluated by current density-voltage (I–V) under AM1.5G illumination.