Effect of inorganic cation mixing on hybrid halide perovskites using density functional theory for application in single and multi junction photovoltaics

TL;DR

This study uses density functional theory to analyze mixed-cation halide perovskites, predicting their electronic properties and suitability for photovoltaic applications, revealing band gap transitions and potential for multi-junction solar cells.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive DFT-based analysis of 63 mixed-cation perovskites, predicting their band gaps and photovoltaic suitability, expanding understanding of inorganic-organic cation mixing effects.

Findings

37 perovskites suitable for single and multi-junction solar cells

Band gap transition from indirect to direct at 50% inorganic cation mixing

21 perovskites suitable for multi-junction but not single-junction applications

Abstract

This work is aimed to study mixed-cation (hybrid methyl ammonium plus inorganic cations) halide perovskites using first principles Density Functional Theory (DFT) formalism in order to find their potential applications in perovskite based photovoltaics. This is an addition to the two previous studies performed by the author on high-throughput screening of hybrid halide and inorganic halide perovskites. This work involves mixing certain amounts of the inorganic cation to the organic site (methyl ammonium) and study the electronic structure of the resultant. 63 perovskites have been simulated in their calculated stable phases and their band gaps have been predicted. Band gaps are important parameters to predict as these indicate their potential to be used as opto-electronic devices. From the calculated band gaps, 37 perovskites are predicted to be suitable for single junction as well as multi junction solar cell application, 7 are not suitable for either single or multi junction solar cells, and the rest 21 are suitable for multi junction but not for single junction solar cells. The study also shows interesting transition in the nature of the band gaps from indirect to direct and vice-versa caused at about 50% of inorganic cation mixing.