Enhancing Planar Perovskite Solar Cell Performance by SnO<sub>2</sub> Interface Treatment Using Urea as an Additive: A Comparative Study of Simple, Low-Temperature Approaches
Razieh Teimouri, Razieh Keshtmand, Sajad Mehrvarz, Fatemeh Ghasemi, Ali Mahjoory, Mohammadreza Kolahdouz, Nima Taghavinia
Abstract
For perovskite solar cells (PSCs), SnO 2 is considered to be the most promising electron transport layer (ETL) material. Further, PSC performance enhancement is made possible through interface amendments, which were reported by several functional groups. Herein, successful n-type urea treatment of SnO 2 is demonstrated by simple, low-temperature approaches of solution and spin-coating preparation. Considering the urea spin-coating and solution processes, the conductivity and electron transport of urea-doped SnO 2 films have been dominantly improved, leading to enhanced PSC characteristics. Surface spin-coating is a more efficient method to add urea to SnO 2 in comparison with precursor doping. On comparison, the PSCs with the surface spin-coated urea for SnO 2 ETL offer the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.50%. However, under the same circumstances, the PSC made with the pure SnO 2 ETL offers a PCE of 14.04%. The outcomes show a technique for improving the characteristics of PSCs. In the final part, to assess the impact of interfacial treatment on the performance of planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs), planar devices were simulated using Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS) software. The simulation incorporated crucial parameters from experimental analysis and reliable sources, ensuring reliability in the modeling process.