Nickel oxide incorporated CH3NH3PbI3 for stable and efficient planar perovskite solar cells

Photovoltaic performance and stability are critical for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSC). In this research article, NiO nanoparticles are directly incorporated into CH3NH3PbI3 to improve the photovoltaic properties and sustainability of perovskite solar cells. The NiO NPs have been successfully synthesised by hydrothermal method. The hydrothermally synthesised NiO incorporated CH3NH3PbI3 based Perovskite Solar Cells (NiO–CH3NH3PbI3 based PSC) shows a superior power conversion efficiency of 13.43 %, current density (Jsc) of 22.79 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.95 V and a Fill Factor (FF) of 0.64 compared with NiO free perovskite solar cell. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) investigation reveals the enhancement in the charge transport properties of the NiO–CH3NH3PbI3 based PSCs. The EIS results prove that NiO NPs have improved the perovskite layer quality, charge generation and collection, and charge transport properties. The strong PL quenching indicates the good charge separation/injection due to the formation of smart perovskite crystal structure in the NiO–CH3NH3PbI3 composite. The NiO–CH3NH3PbI3 based PSC along with a carbon back electrode has achieved impressive stability over 600 h.