Strategies for constructing high-performance tin-based perovskite solar cells

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) hold promise in the photovoltaic market owing to their unique optoelectronic properties, ease of manufacture, and excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE). To date, lead (Pb)-based perovskites have the best PCE but face toxicity issues; hence, tin (Sn)-based perovskites are sought after as possible alternatives but struggle with low PCE due to stability and defect challenges. Moreover, Sn-based perovskite materials (Sn-PMs) have poor morphology and orientation due to their incomplete nucleation and fast crystal growth. To work around these issues for high-performance Sn-PSCs, different important strategies have been reported in literature. This review provides the reader with unique properties of Sn-PMs in comparison to other Pb-free PMs, Further, it elaborates the various strategies employed to improve Sn-PMs in PSCs, mainly, based on material crystallization thermodynamics and kinetics. Overall, the review provides an updated and systematic overview of various possible strategies that could improve Sn-PSCs.