A critical review on tin halide perovskite solar cells

Abstract

APbI_3−xBr_x perovskite solar cells with the bandgap of ∼1.5–1.6 eV, where A represents caesium, methylammonium, formamidinium and mixtures thereof, currently present certified efficiencies very close to those of established thin film technologies (such as CIGS and CdTe) and are thus one of the most important optoelectronics. To restrict the use of lead, as well as to tune the band gap of the material close to the optimum according to the Shockley–Queisser limit (being 1.34 eV), substitution (total or partial) of Pb²⁺ by Sn²⁺ should take place. In this review, we present results on single junction solar cells, utilizing CsSnI_3−xBr_x, CH₃NH₃SnI_3−xBr_x or NH₂CHNH₂SnI_3−xBr_x perovskites as absorbers, as well as a mixture of Sn²⁺/Pb²⁺ being adopted as the metal binary cation, reducing the bandgap to 1.2–1.4 eV. We also highlight very recently recorded efficiencies of perovskite-on-perovskite tandem solar cells, produced by the combination of the above low band gap materials with typical highly performing semi-transparent APbI_3−xBr_x perovskites of a higher band gap (close to 1.6–1.8 eV). We discuss these fascinating results, focusing on some key points such as, among others, the role of the tin compensator/reducing agent (usually SnF₂) during perovskite crystallization. In addition, we present the critical challenges that currently limit the efficiency/stability of these systems and propose prospects for future directions.