Wavelength Selective Solar Cells Using Triple Cation Perovskite

Perovskite materials offer high-efficiency low-cost solar cells and applications versatility. We report on cesium-based hybrid perovskite solar cells with wavelength-selective properties ranging from 500 nm (UV-VIS) to 800 nm (IR). The band gap tuning was achieved through composition changes of mainly lead(II) iodide PbI(2) and lead(II) bromide PbBr(2.) The optical spectra of the developed materials were studied, including the photoluminescence (PL), optical transparency, X-ray diffraction and external quantum efficiency for samples prepared under different compositions. It was found that a high content of iodine displayed a photoluminescence (PL) peak at 790 nm, whereas a high content of bromine showed a PL peak at 548 nm. The combined composition mixture of PbI(2) and PbBr(2) can be fine-tuned to prepare materials that absorbed light in the visible range (640–660 nm) or other selective wavelengths in the range from 500 to 800 nm. The illuminated current-voltage characteristics of the solar cells were carried out under the AM 1.5 condition using an ABET solar simulator with a reference solar cell for comparison and control. The average efficiency of the fabricated solar cells ranged from 3.5% to 15.5%, depending on perovskite composition. Wavelength-selective solar cells have potential applications in smart windows, building of integrated PVs and solar-operated greenhouses.