Optimizing Lead Based Perovskite Solar Cells (CH₃NH₃PbI_3−xCl_x) - An analytical approach

¹ Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, C V Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha - 752054, India
² Department of Physics, C V Raman Global university, Bhubaneswar. Odisha - 752054, India
³ Technology Innovations and Development Foundation, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 5 March 2026

Abstract

In this study, simulation-based technique is used to investigate the lead-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and the mixed-halide compound CH₃NH₃PbI_3–xCl_x (MAPbI_3−xCl_x) is demonstrated as its primary promising absorber layer. The rapid boost in demand for renewable energy, PSCs have emerged as third-generation photovoltaic technology owing to various advantages like high power conversion efficiency (PCE), tunable bandgap, and low fabrication cost. Despite these advantages, challenges such as poor long-term stability, efficiency saturation, and hysteresis effects continue to hinder large-scale commercialization. The optoelectronic performance of MAPbl_3−xCl_x is examined in planar heterojunction architectures using TiO₂ as the electron transport layer (ETL) and Spiro-OMeTAD as the hole transport layer (HTL), and the results is compared with mesoporous device configurations. The planar structure demonstrates superior manufacturability along with moderate hysteresis, while the incorporation of mixed-halide composition enhances material stability. The optimized planar device achieved the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.83 V, and the short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 175 mA/m², a fill factor (FF) of 85%, and the maximum PCE of 12.13% at an active layer thickness of 1.2 μιη. Furthermore, the effects of varying operating temperature on PCE were analysed to assess thermal robustness.