Current matched all perovskite tandem solar cells with low lead perovskites achieving 31.9% efficiency and enhanced stability

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-99575-8

. 2025 Aug 13;15(1):29724.

doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-99575-8.

Current matched all perovskite tandem solar cells with low lead perovskites achieving 31.9% efficiency and enhanced stability

Navdeep Kaur¹, Jaya Madan¹, Asaithambi Perumal², Rahul Pandey³

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India.
² Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Po Box - 378, Jimma, Ethiopia. asaithambi.perumal@ju.edu.et.
³ Department of Applied Sciences (Physics), National Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi, 110036, India.

PMID: 40804298
PMCID: PMC12350632
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-99575-8

Current matched all perovskite tandem solar cells with low lead perovskites achieving 31.9% efficiency and enhanced stability

Navdeep Kaur et al. Sci Rep. 2025.

. 2025 Aug 13;15(1):29724.

doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-99575-8.

Authors

Navdeep Kaur¹, Jaya Madan¹, Asaithambi Perumal², Rahul Pandey³

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India.
² Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Po Box - 378, Jimma, Ethiopia. asaithambi.perumal@ju.edu.et.
³ Department of Applied Sciences (Physics), National Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi, 110036, India.

PMID: 40804298
PMCID: PMC12350632
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-99575-8

Abstract

Multilayer tandem solar cells emerge as a transformative solution, leveraging multiple absorber layers with optimized bandgaps to capture and convert a broader spectrum of sunlight. This layered architecture overcomes the efficiency limitations of single-junction solar cells by minimizing transparency and thermalization losses while maximizing photon utilization across the solar spectrum. Although hybrid perovskites have demonstrated exceptional photovoltaic performance, their dependence on organic components often results in stability challenges under varying environmental conditions. To mitigate this issue, all-inorganic perovskites have emerged as a robust alternative, offering enhanced thermal and moisture stability along with reliable long-term performance. In the proposed design, a sustainable approach is adopted using a tin-based, low-lead, all-inorganic CsPb_0.75Sn_0.25IBr₂ (1.78 eV) for the top subcell absorber, paired with a lead-free double perovskite Cs₂TiI₆ (1.02 eV), in the bottom subcell, with the use of SCAPS - 1D simulator. Standalone analyses of the top and bottom subcells are conducted before tandem configuration implementation. Importantly, tandem design is optimized by investigating the current matching point by varying the absorber layer thicknesses (100-1000 nm). Illuminating the top subcell with the AM 1.5G spectrum and passing filtered light to the bottom subcell enables extensive light absorption and improved overall PCE. With a common current point at 16.83 mA/cm² the tandem design attains a peak PCE of 31.93%, accompanied by a fill factor (FF) of 86.84% and an open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 2.18 V. These findings highlight the potential of this optimized tandem solar cell design to deliver high efficiency with enhanced stability, offering a promising pathway for sustainable and scalable photovoltaic technologies.

Keywords: Double perovskite; Low - lead all inorganic perovskite; SCAPS−1D; Tandem solar cell.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Consent to participate: We comply with the ethical standards. We provide our consent to take part. Consent for publication: All the authors are giving consent to publish.

Figures

**Fig. 1**
Device structure of (a) standalone CsPb_0.75Sn_0.25IBr₂ absorber-based top cell (b) standalone Cs₂TiI₆ absorber-based bottom cell (c) CsPb_0.75Sn_0.25IBr₂/Cs₂TiI₆ based MTSC.

**Fig. 2**
Absorption profiles for (a) CsPb_0.75Sn_0.25IBr₂ top sub cell absorber (b) Cs₂TiI₆ bottom sub cell absorber.

**Fig. 3**
Standalone top subcell (front electrode/N-PDI/CsPb_0.75Sn_0.25IBr₂/Spiro-OMeTAD/back electrode, ) (a) JV plot (b) EQE plot, bottom subcell (front electrode/TiO₂/Cs₂TiI₆/PEDOT/back electrode) (c) JV plot (d) EQE plot.

**Fig. 4**
Standalone top subcell (a) Energy band diagram (eV) (b) Carrier density (1/cm³) (c) Current density (mA/cm²), under biased voltage (V_OC).

**Fig. 5**
Standalone top subcell (a) Energy band diagram (eV) (b) Carrier density (1/cm³) (c) Current density (mA/cm²), under unbiased condition (0 V).

**Fig. 6**
Standalone bottom subcell (a) Energy band diagram (eV) (b) Carrier density (1/cm^− 3) (c) Current density (mA/cm²), under biased voltage (V_OC).

**Fig. 7**
Standalone bottom subcell (a) Energy band diagram (eV) (b) Carrier density (1/cm³) (c) Current density (mA/cm²), under unbiased condition (0 V ).

**Fig. 8**
Standalone top subcell on ETL thickness variation (50–250 nm) (a) IV curve (b) PV parameters, HTL thickness variation (c) IV curve (d) PV parameters.

**Fig. 9**
Standalone bottom subcell on ETL thickness variation (a) IV curve (b) PV parameters, HTL thickness variation (c) IV curve (d) PV parameters.

**Fig. 10**
Impact of interface defects (10¹⁰ cm^− 2 to 10¹⁸ cm^− 2) on the performance of the top subcell (a) IV curve and (b) PV parameters for N-PDI/CsPb_0.75 Sn_0.25IBr₂ (ETL/absorber layer) interface (c) IV curve and (d) PV parameters for CsPb_0.75 Sn_0.25IBr₂/Spiro-OMeTAD (absorber layer/HTL) interface.

**Fig. 11**
Impact of interface defects ((10¹⁰ cm^− 2 to 10¹³cm⁻²) on the performance of the bottom subcell (a) IV curve and (b) PV parameters for TiO₂/Cs₂TiI₆ ( ETL/absorber layer) interface (c) IV curve and (d) PV parameters for Cs₂TiI₆/PEDOT (absorber layer/HTL) interface.

**Fig. 12**
Effect of thickness variation (100–1000 nm) on PV parameters for (a) the top subcell absorber layer, CsPb_0.75Sn_0.25IBr_2, and (b) the bottom subcell absorber layer, Cs₂TiI₆.

**Fig. 13**
(a) The standard light spectrum AM 1.5 G (b) The filtered light spectrum at CsPb_0.75Sn_0.25IBr₂ thickness variation (100–1000 nm).

**Fig. 14**
J_SC (short circuit current density) plot at 100–1000 nm thickness variation of CsPb_0.75Sn_0.25IBr₂ (top cell absorber) and Cs₂TiI₆ (bottom cell absorber), illustrating the evaluation of the current matching point.

**Fig. 15**
Obtained PV parameters (a) V_OC (b) FF (c) J_SC (d) PCE, representing the cumulative impact of top and bottom cell thickness variation (100–1000 nm ), under filtered spectrum.

**Fig. 16**
JV plots in regards to (a) standalone top/bottom subcell (under AM 1.5 G spectrum) (b) MTSC CsPb_0.75Sn_0.25IBr₂/Cs₂Ti₆ under filtered spectrum.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

1. Wang, K. et al. Overcoming Shockley-Queisser limit using halide perovskite platform? Joule 6 (4), 756–771 (2022).
1. Song, T. B. et al. Perovskite solar cells: film formation and properties. J. Mater. Chem. A. 3 (17), 9032–9050 (2015).
1. Kim, J. Y., Lee, J. W., Jung, H. S., Shin, H. & Park, N. G. High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells Chem. Rev.120 (15), 7867–7918 (2020). - PubMed
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1. Habibi, M., Zabihi, F., Ahmadian-Yazdi, M. R. & Eslamian, M. Progress in emerging solution-processed thin film solar cells–Part II: perovskite solar cells. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev.62, 1012–1031 (2016).

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- PubMed Central

[1] Wang, K. et al. Overcoming Shockley-Queisser limit using halide perovskite platform? Joule 6 (4), 756–771 (2022).

[2] Wang, K. et al. Overcoming Shockley-Queisser limit using halide perovskite platform? Joule 6 (4), 756–771 (2022).

[3] Song, T. B. et al. Perovskite solar cells: film formation and properties. J. Mater. Chem. A. 3 (17), 9032–9050 (2015).

[4] Song, T. B. et al. Perovskite solar cells: film formation and properties. J. Mater. Chem. A. 3 (17), 9032–9050 (2015).

[5] Kim, J. Y., Lee, J. W., Jung, H. S., Shin, H. & Park, N. G. High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells Chem. Rev.120 (15), 7867–7918 (2020). - PubMed

[6] Kim, J. Y., Lee, J. W., Jung, H. S., Shin, H. & Park, N. G. High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells Chem. Rev.120 (15), 7867–7918 (2020). - PubMed

[7] Yang, Z., Zhang, S., Li, L. & Chen, W. Research progress on large-area perovskite thin films and solar modules. J. Materiom. 3 (4), 231–244 (2017).

[8] Yang, Z., Zhang, S., Li, L. & Chen, W. Research progress on large-area perovskite thin films and solar modules. J. Materiom. 3 (4), 231–244 (2017).

[9] Habibi, M., Zabihi, F., Ahmadian-Yazdi, M. R. & Eslamian, M. Progress in emerging solution-processed thin film solar cells–Part II: perovskite solar cells. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev.62, 1012–1031 (2016).

[10] Habibi, M., Zabihi, F., Ahmadian-Yazdi, M. R. & Eslamian, M. Progress in emerging solution-processed thin film solar cells–Part II: perovskite solar cells. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev.62, 1012–1031 (2016).

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Current matched all perovskite tandem solar cells with low lead perovskites achieving 31.9% efficiency and enhanced stability

Affiliations

Current matched all perovskite tandem solar cells with low lead perovskites achieving 31.9% efficiency and enhanced stability

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Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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