Exploring the effect of interface properties between CeO _x electron transport layer and MAPbI₃ perovskite layer on solar cell performances through numerical simulation

Organo-metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received a lot of attention to the photovoltaic research community, mainly due to the rapid development of their cell performances. But industry-level production of PSCs is hindered for several reasons. At present, the use of high-temperature processed electron transport layer (ETL) such as TIO2, the use of chemically unstable ETL such as ZnO and SnO2, etc. are ETL-related obstacles behind this industrialization. Aiming to remove these problems, cerium oxide (CeOx), one of the most Earth-rich metal oxides has been chosen as ETL for this study. In this study, the SCAPS-1D simulation package has been used for an intensive study on ETL/PSK interface for a methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI(3))-based PSC having CeOx as ETL. From this simulation, the effect of conduction band offset (CBO) between CeOx and MAPbI(3) has been found as the key player behind the cell performances. Defects at this interface have also been introduced and varied for studying their effects on cell performance at different CBO values. The temperature stability of a PSC is another important issue that has been considered in this study to find the effect of operating temperature on the PSC. This study would enlighten the researchers in implying some fantastic techniques at the ETL/PSK interface for improving the cell performance that will forward the research community a few steps to use CeOx as a promising ETL in PSC.