Achieving over 30% efficiency employing a novel double absorber solar cell configuration integrating Ca3NCl3 and Ca3SbI3 perovskites

Perovskites are particularly appealing solar absorber materials in the realm of photovoltaic (PV) technology due to their remarkable optical properties, low cost, increased efficiency, and lightweight design. This study proposes a structure that combines a double perovskite absorber layer (DPAL) of Ca3NCl3 and Ca3SbI3 with an electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer (HTL) of CdS and CBTS via SCAPS-1D. Our research also demonstrated that the perovskite solar cell (PSC) with DPAL performs much better with the addition of HTL and is more efficient than single-layer PSCs. This paper thoroughly examines the effect of thickness, doping levels, and defect densities of each layer on electrical parameters like VOC, JSC, FF, and PCE. Additionally, it shows the J-V and QE characteristics and thoroughly examines the effects of temperature. With a DPAL of 24.43 %, two solar cells built around a single absorber have achieved their maximum efficiency of 17.19 % and 18.07 %, respectively. Using CBTS HTL with Al/FTO/CdS/dual absorber (Ca3SbI3/Ca3NCl3)/CBTS/Ni structure, this study achieves an optimized efficiency of up to 30.22 % with VOC of 1.39 V, FF of 88 %, and JSC of 24.75 mAcm−2. This research may offer crucial information and a practical plan for creating an affordable Ca3SbI3/Ca3NCl3 thin-film solar cell. •A novel design and optimization of a double absorber perovskite solar cell employing Ca3NCl3 and Ca3SbI3.•Investigating the impact of layer’s thickness, defect and doping densities on the performance of the solar cell structure.•Furthermore, the current density-voltage, interface defect density, and quantum efficiency were all thoroughly examined.•Using CBTS HTL, the maximum PCE was reached at 30.22 % with VOC of 1.39 V, FF of 88 %, and JSC of 24.75 mAcm−2.•This setup will be very useful for assessing solar cells of the years to come.