CsSnBr3, A Lead-Free Halide Perovskite for Long-Term Solar Cell Application: Insights on SnF2 Addition

Solar cells based on “halide perovskites” (HaPs) have demonstrated unprecedented high power conversion efficiencies in recent years. However, the well-known toxicity of lead (Pb), which is used in the most studied cells, may affect its widespread use. We explored an all-inorganic lead-free perovskite option, cesium tin bromide (CsSnBr3), for optoelectronic applications. CsSnBr3-based solar cells exhibited photoconversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 2.1%, with a short-circuit current (JSC) of ∼9 mA cm–2, an open circuit potential (VOC) of 0.41 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 58% under 1 sun (100 mW cm–2) illumination, which, even though meager compared to the Pb analogue-based cells, are among the best reported until now. As reported earlier, addition of tin fluoride (SnF2) was found to be beneficial for obtaining good device performance, possibly due to reduction of the background carrier density by neutralizing traps, possibly via filling of cation vacancies. The roles of SnF2 on the properties of the CsSnBr3 were investigated using ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis.