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/cm(2), fill factor /FF of 63.43%, power conversion efficiency/PCE (eta) of 4.95%, shunt resistance/R-sh of 4591 Omega-cm(2), and series resistance/R-s of 22.1 Omega-cm(2). It retained similar to 80% of its original efficiency after 30 days of exposure in ambient atmosphere.