Spectroscopic Investigation of Silicon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells: Structural, Optical and Electronic Insights for High Photovoltaic Efficiency

Abstract

The urgent need for renewable energy alternatives has accelerated research into advanced photovoltaic materials. While crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells remain the dominant commercial technology, their limited band gap, high production costs and thermal instability constrain further development. Perovskite solar cells, on the other hand, demonstrate exceptional light absorption and tunability, yet face issues of stability and toxicity. This study investigates silicon–perovskite hybrid solar cells through UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to evaluate their molecular, optical and electronic properties. Results reveal broadened light absorption, reduced non-radiative recombination and efficient charge-carrier dynamics compared to standalone Si or perovskite devices. XPS confirmed the successful deposition of MAPbI₃ on silicon with minimal oxidation or impurity levels. The hybrid devices achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22%, maintaining stability for over 500 hours under standard test conditions. These findings suggest that silicon–perovskite integration offers a promising route toward stable, high-efficiency and commercially scalable photovoltaic technologies.