Photovoltaic efficacy of WS2 as back surface field (BSF) and SWCNT as an absorber layer for heterostructure solar cell: Numerical investigation by SCAPS-1D multidimensional framework

Abstract

This study presents a highly efficient heterostructure solar cell model using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as the absorber layer, tungsten di-sulfide (WS2) as BSF layer and platinum (Pt) as the back contact. Using the SCAPS-1D software, the research focuses on optimizing critical design parameters such as the thickness (W) and acceptor concentration (NA) of the absorber layer, along with the impact of as the BSF series-shunt resistance, temperature and defect densities across different layers. The model, ITO/CdS/SWCNT/WS2 configurations, aims to achieve superior PV performances. Key innovations include the incorporation of minority carriers to simulate defects and interfaces defect coefficients depicted through contour plots. The optimized parameters for the ITO/CdS/SWCNT/WS2 model are established at a thickness of 1.5 μm, an acceptor concentration of 4×1019cm−3 and a defect density of 1×1016cm−3, resulting in an efficiency of 30.01% with VOC = 0.86V, JSC = 41.42mA/cm2 and FF = 83.84% achieved at 300oK temperature. These discoveries underscore the considerable promise of SWCNTs functioning as the absorber layer in a heterostructure solar cell, offering promising outcomes for environmental sustainability and global energy solutions