PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT USING PEROVSKITE MATERIALS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF MECHANISMS, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PATHWAYS

Abstract

Abstract: Perovskite materials, primarily organic-inorganic lead halides (CH₃NH₃PbX₃, where X = I, Br, Cl), have emerged as a revolutionary class of semiconductors for photovoltaic (PV) applications, achieving certified power conversion efficiencies (PCE) exceeding 26% in single-junction cells within a decade of development. This unprecedented progress challenges the decades-long dominance of crystalline silicon. This paper comprehensively reviews the fundamental mechanisms underlying the exceptional optoelectronic properties of perovskites, including their tunable bandgap, high absorption coefficients, long carrier diffusion lengths, and low exciton binding energies, which collectively contribute to enhanced PV performance. The analysis systematically addresses key efficiency enhancement strategies: compositional engineering for bandgap optimization and phase stability, interface engineering to mitigate non-radiative recombination, and advanced device architectures (e.g., tandem cells). A critical assessment of the primary challenges—long-term operational stability under thermal, moisture, and illumination stress, lead toxicity concerns, and scalable fabrication techniques—is presented. Through comparative tables and data-driven analysis, we elucidate the structure-property-performance relationships. The review concludes by identifying future research pathways focused on lead-free alternatives, encapsulation technologies, and integration with silicon in tandem configurations to realize commercially viable, high-efficiency, and stable perovskite photovoltaics. Keywords: Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs), Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE), Halide Perovskites, Tandem Solar Cells, Stability, Carrier Dynamics, Bandgap Engineering.