Cd2SnO4 transparent conductive oxide: a promising alternative candidate for highly efficient hybrid halide perovskite solar cells

Abstract

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells have attracted significant research attention in terms of perovskite materials, fabrication, device architecture, and interfacial engineering to increase their power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, the state-of-the-art front electrode of perovskite solar cells is mainly focused on indium tin oxide (ITO) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO). To further improve the optical characteristics of front electrodes for perovskite devices, it is necessary to explore a new and suitable transparent conductive oxide material. Herein, we introduce a Cd₂SnO₄ film for constructing a perovskite device with a novel structure. The as-prepared Cd₂SnO₄ film shows higher optical transmission in the visible region compared to the FTO substrate. The matching energy band alignment can ensure efficient carrier transport and collection between the TiO₂ layer and Cd₂SnO₄ electrode. The higher PCEs with an average of 15.58% under AM 1.5 irradiation for Cd₂SnO₄-based perovskite solar cells were obtained compared to those of the FTO-based devices. This renders the Cd₂SnO₄ film a promising transparent conductive oxide candidate for highly efficient perovskite solar cells. However, the toxicity of lead and cadmium components still remain a major concern for its commercial applications.