Surface optimization of metal halide perovskite solar cells using ZnS nanorods.

The present paper reports the fabrication of solar cells using surface-optimized ZnS-Perovskite composites. Initially, ZnS nanorods (NRs) were synthesized via precursor thermolysis route. Further, these ZnS NRs were used to prepare different ZnS-CH₃NH₃PbI₃ composites (0, 2, 4, and 6 mg/ml). The synthesis of ZnS NRs and ZnS-CH₃NH₃PbI₃ composites was confirmed by XRD, scanning electron microscopy/SEM, and UV–Visible/Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy techniques. The SEM micrographs suggested that the grain size increases with the increase in the concentration of ZnS NRs into perovskite matrices resulting reduction in grain boundary problem. The J–V curve of as-fabricated solar devices has demonstrated the significant enhancement in overall photovoltaic performance. The best performing device has shown an open-circuit voltage/V_oc of 0.81 V, short-circuit current density/J_sc of 9.64 mA/cm², fill factor/FF of 63.43%, power conversion efficiency/PCE (η) of 4.95%, shunt resistance/R_sh of 4591 Ω-cm², and series resistance/R_s of 22.1 Ω-cm². It retained ~ 80% of its original efficiency after 30 days of exposure in ambient atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]