Numerical Modeling of Cu2MnSnS4/FeSi2 Dual-Absorber Solar Cell Achieving High Efficiency

TL;DR

This study numerically investigates a dual-absorber solar cell combining Cu2MnSnS4 and FeSi2, achieving a high efficiency of 34.9% by optimizing spectral absorption and device parameters.

Contribution

It introduces a novel CMTS-FeSi2 dual-absorber design and demonstrates its high efficiency through comprehensive numerical simulations.

Findings

Achieved 34.9% power conversion efficiency.

Optimized device parameters improve carrier transport.

FeSi2 enhances spectral harvesting in the dual-absorber cell.

Abstract

Dual-absorber solar cells represent a promising approach to surpass the efficiency limit of single-junction devices by extending spectral absorption and minimizing thermalization losses. Among earth-abundant thin-film materials, kesterites have attracted considerable interest, however, the well-studied Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) continues to face challenges related to antisite disorder and secondary phase formation. Replacing Zn with Mn in Cu2MnSnS4 (CMTS) mitigates these limitations, improving cation ordering and electronic quality while maintaining favorable optical properties. Yet, despite its potential, CMTS remains largely unexplored in multi-absorber configurations-only one prior study has reported a CMTS-based dual-absorber device. In this work, we present a comprehensive numerical investigation of a CMTS-FeSi2 dual-absorber thin-film solar cell using the one-dimensional solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D). FeSi2, with its narrow band gap (0.87 eV) and strong near-infrared absorption, serves as an ideal bottom absorber to complement CMTS, enabling broader spectral utilization. The study systematically examines the effects of geometrical, electronic, and interfacial parameters on carrier transport, and overall device performance. The optimized device delivers an impressive power conversion efficiency of 34.9%, with VOC = 0.79 V, JSC = 51.07 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 85.91%. These findings demonstrate that integrating FeSi2 with CMTS not only enhances carrier collection and spectral harvesting but also establishes a new pathway toward high-efficiency, sustainable, and environmentally benign thin-film photovoltaics.