Radiation-Tolerant MASnI₃ Perovskite Solar Cells for Space Communication: Sequential SCAPS Optimization and SRIM-Based Proton Damage Analysis

PDF (2971KB), PP.305-322

Views: 0 Downloads: 0

Author(s)

Maitry Barua 1 Mohammad Mohsin 1 Sadman Al Farabe 2 Md. Mizanul Hoque 3,*

1. University of Chittagong, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

2. Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Chittagong University of Science and Technology (CUET), Chittagong-4349, Bangladesh

3. Center for Higher Studies and Research, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Mirpur, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh

* Corresponding author.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijwmt.2026.03.20

Received: 29 Jan. 2026 / Revised: 14 Mar. 2026 / Accepted: 9 May 2026 / Published: 8 Jun. 2026

Index Terms

MASnI3 perovskite, Proton irradiation, Radiation tolerance, Space solar cells, SCAPS-1D simulation, SRIM modeling, Optoelectronic properties

Abstract

Tin-based perovskites are among the most promising candidates for high performance light-weight and radiation-tolerant space photovoltaics, but their response to energetic proton fluxes is not adequately determined. In this work, integrated SCAPS–SRIM analysis was applied to lead-free MASnI3 perovskite solar cells for space applications in order to correlate device optimization with proton-radiation response. We established a combined SCAPS–SRIM simulation platform to simulate optoelectronic behaviors and radiation tolerance of an Au/Cu2O/MASnI3/TiO2/FTO solar cell under AM0 illumination. Optimal-device calculations demonstrate that device absorber thickness of 0.20–0.30 µm and a TiO2 ETL of 20–50 nm, Cu2O HTL of 50 nm thicknesses result in good carrier collection and minimized recombination losses. Quantum efficiency and J–V measurement illustrate a stable operation under AM0 light, verifying the no extrinsic spectral incompatibility of MASnI3 for the space energy source application. SRIM proton irradiation simulations (10-250 keV, 0° incidence) highlight the most damaging energy range within 50–150 keV for which masked Bragg peak lies in proximity to the MASnI3 absorber and MASnI3/TiO2 interface accompanied by enhanced vacancy density, recoil energy deposition and phonon generation. High-energy protons (>200 keV) which deposit most of their damage in the rear contact stack, minimizing absorber degradation. The results overall indicate that MASnI3 holds a good optoelectronic performance beyond the predictable radiation-damage behavior and thus can be considered as a promising alternative for space photovoltaic technology

Cite This Paper

Maitry Barua, Mohammad Mohsin, Sadman Al Farabe, Mizanul Hoque, "Radiation-Tolerant MASnI₃ Perovskite Solar Cells for Space Communication: Sequential SCAPS Optimization and SRIM-Based Proton Damage Analysis", International Journal of Wireless and Microwave Technologies(IJWMT), Vol.16, No.3, pp. 305-322, 2026. DOI:10.5815/ijwmt.2026.03.20

Reference

[1]Verduci R, Romano V, Brunetti G, Yaghoobi Nia N, Di Carlo A, D’Angelo G, et al. Solar Energy in Space Applications: Review and Technology Perspectives. Adv Energy Mater 2022;12. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202200125.
[2]Noman M, Khan Z, Jan ST. A comprehensive review on the advancements and challenges in perovskite solar cell technology. RSC Adv 2024;14:5085–131. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ra07518d.
[3]Pessoa RS, Fraga MA. Recent advances in solar cells for aerospace applications: Materials and technologies. J Aerosp Technol Manag 2023;15. https://doi.org/10.1590/jatm.v15.1296.
[4]Romano V, Agresti A, Verduci R, D’Angelo G. Advances in Perovskites for Photovoltaic Applications in Space. ACS Energy Lett 2022;7:2490–514. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.2c01099.
[5]Bush ME, Sims JD, Erickson SS, VanSant KT, Ghosh S, Luther JM, et al. Space environment considerations for perovskite solar cell operations: A review. Acta Astronaut 2025;235:235–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.05.025.
[6]Reb LK, Böhmer M, Predeschly B, Grott S, Weindl CL, Ivandekic GI, et al. Perovskite and Organic Solar Cells on a Rocket Flight. Joule 2020;4:1880–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2020.07.004.
[7]Vanitha L, Thandaiah Prabu R, Subha TD, Kumar A. Computational analysis of perovskite solar cells for space applications. J Comput Electron 2025;24:91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10825-025-02335-0.
[8]Barua M, Hayat Khan MY, Hasan MZ, Ahamed JU. Halogen engineering in lead-free Mg3PX3 perovskites: A first-principles investigation for UV to IR optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. Comput Condens Matter 2026;46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cocom.2026.e01220.
[9]Zhao P, Su J, Guo Y, Wang L, Lin Z, Zhang J, et al. A new all-inorganic vacancy-ordered double perovskite Cs2CrI6 for high-performance photovoltaic cells and alpha-particle detection in space environment. Mater Today Phys 2021;20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtphys.2021.100446.
[10]Zhang W, Sun C, Liu K, Shen W, Wu Y, Yao L, et al. Technical challenges of space solar power stations: Ultra-large-scale space solar array systems and space environmental effects. Sp Sol Power Wirel Transm 2024;1:69–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sspwt.2024.09.003.
[11]Huan Z, Zheng Y, Wang K, Shen Z, Ni W, Zu J, et al. Advancements in radiation resistance and reinforcement strategies of perovskite solar cells in space applications. J Mater Chem A 2024;12:1910–22. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ta06388g.
[12]Kareem M, Thaban B, Rajiv A, Sahu BN, Sundharam S, Tomar P. Multiscale simulation of eco-friendly perovskites under space radiation. Nanoscale 2026. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5NR03859F.
[13]Magdalin AE, Nixon PD, Jayaseelan E, Sivakumar M, Devi SKN, Subathra MSP, et al. Development of lead-free perovskite solar cells: Opportunities, challenges, and future technologies. Results Eng 2023;20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101438.
[14]Islam B, Khan TM, Rahaman MM, Ahmed SR Al. Computational optimization of MASnI3 perovskite solar cells using SCAPS-1D simulations and machine learning techniques. RSC Adv 2026;16:1172–92. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA07200J.
[15]Sajid S, Alzahmi S, Salem I Ben, Park J, Obaidat IM. Lead-Free Perovskite Homojunction-Based HTM-Free Perovskite Solar Cells: Theoretical and Experimental Viewpoints. Nanomaterials 2023;13. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13060983.
[16]Singh AK, Srivastava S, Mahapatra A, Baral JK, Pradhan B. Performance optimization of lead free-MASnI3 based solar cell with 27% efficiency by numerical simulation. Opt Mater (Amst) 2021;117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2021.111193.
[17]Ivriq SB, Mohammadi MH, Davidsen RS. Enhancing photovoltaic efficiency Perovskite solar cells with triple core-shell plasmonic nanoparticles 2025:1–22.
[18]Chen H, Li C, Zhou W, Wen J, Ma M, Chen Y, et al. Designing and optimizing the lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgBiI6/Cs2AgBiBr6 bilayer perovskite solar cell. Sol Energy 2024;284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2024.113087.
[19]Mohammed MKA, Al-Azraq BT, Al-Mousoi AK, Salih EY, Rajiv A, Sahu BN, et al. Multiphysics insights into CsPbI3 perovskite photovoltaics under proton irradiation. Renew Energy 2026;256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2025.124571.
[20]Kirmani AR, Byers TA, Ni Z, VanSant K, Saini DK, Scheidt R, et al. Unraveling radiation damage and healing mechanisms in halide perovskites using energy-tuned dual irradiation dosing. Nat Commun 2024;15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-44876-1.
[21]Samantaray MR, Wong TL, Mondal A kumar, Pescetelli S, Lee DJ, Muñoz-Castro A, et al. Lead-Free MaSnI3/Sb2S3 Heterojunction Solar Cell with Power Conversion Efficiency Approaching 30%: A SCAPS-1D Simulation Study. Sol RRL 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/solr.202500642.
[22]Hossain MK, Rubel MHK, Toki GFI, Alam I, Rahman MF, Bencherif H. Effect of Various Electron and Hole Transport Layers on the Performance of CsPbI3-Based Perovskite Solar Cells: A Numerical Investigation in DFT, SCAPS-1D, and wxAMPS Frameworks. ACS Omega 2022;7:43210–30. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c05912.
[23]Gao Y, Jiang H, Zhang W, Ying Y, Chen L, Han L, et al. Design and Numerical Optimization of Dual Interface Layers for MASnI3Perovskite Solar Cells Based on SCAPS-1D Simulation. Langmuir 2025;41:26030–43. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c02645.
[24]Oryema B, Madiba IG, Mtshali CB. Atomistic Simulation of Primary Radiation Damage Profiles in Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Thin Film Target Using SRIM Code. Nano-Horizons J Nanosci Nanotechnologies 2024;3. https://doi.org/10.25159/3005-2602/15610.
[25]Raj M, Makhija A, Kushwaha A, Goel N. Integrated First-Principles, SCAPS-1D, and ML Framework for Engineering CsAgBiBr₆ based Perovskite Solar Cell for IoT-Integrated Applications. Mater Sci Eng B 2026;324:119014. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119014.
[26]MallaHasan H, Onay Ö. Investigation of the effect of different factors on the performance of several perovskite solar cells: a simulation study by SCAPS. Eur J Eng Sci Technol 2022;5:20–38. https://doi.org/10.33422/ejest.v5i1.927.
[27]Shim H, Seo S, Chandler C, Sharpe MK, McAleese CD, Lim J, et al. Enhancing radiation resilience of wide-band-gap perovskite solar cells for space applications via A-site cation stabilization with PDAI2. Joule 2025;9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2025.102043.
[28]Angela E, Nodari D, Furlan F, Panidi J, McLachlan MA, Gasparini N. Blending Self-Assembled Monolayers for Enhanced Band Alignment and Improved Morphology in p-i-n Perovskite Photodetectors. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces  2024;16:33838–45. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.4c06447.
[29]Mortadi A, El Hafidi EM, Sadiqi A, Nasrellah H, Laasri S, Chahid E ghaouti, et al. Thickness-dependent performance optimization of lead-free FASnI3 perovskite solar cells: Interplay between optical absorption and charge recombination. Hybrid Adv 2025;11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hybadv.2025.100528.
[30]Gwandu BU, Nawawi YH, Faruk S, Zauro AS. Numerical investigation on the impact of Hole Transporting Layer (HTL) using SCAPS-1D on tin-based perovskite solar cells. Equity J Sci Technol 2023;10:10–6.
[31]Edam MJ, Mahdi AS, AbdulAlmohsin SM, Khadier HM. Perovskites Solar Cells Study Optimization Thickness, Temperature and Work Function. J Nanostructures 2025;15:1208–19. https://doi.org/10.22052/JNS.2025.03.038.
[32]Tuo S, Kamenan KA, Coulibaly AB. Simulation of a Perovskite Solar Cell with High Efficiency Using Various Hole Transport Layers. Cryst Struct Theory Appl 2025;13:1–13. https://doi.org/10.4236/csta.2025.131001.
[33]Mohsin M, Anan MI, Datta PG, Das K, Al Islam MW, Niloy AB, et al. Energy harvesting from Cs2CuBiX6 solar cells: A comparison of efficiency and improvement. J Phys Chem Solids 2025;200:112611. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2025.112611.
[34]Rayhan A, Khan MA, Islam MR. Enhancing CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3 Perovskite Solar Cell Performance via Cu2O Hole Transport Layer Integration. Int J Photoenergy 2024;2024. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8859153.
[35]Siddique A, Nurul Islam M, Karmaker H, Asif Iqbal AKM, Al Mazed Khan A, Aminul Islam M, et al. Numerical modelling and performance investigation of inorganic Copper-Tin-Sulfide (CTS) based perovskite solar cell with SCAPS-1D. Results Opt 2024;16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rio.2024.100713.
[36]Rshash HA, Abdul Almohsin SM. Optimization of Thickness, Energy Band Gap, and Temperature for High Efficiency of Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cell. Int J Thin Film Sci Technol 2024;13:225–33. https://doi.org/10.18576/ijtfst/130307.
[37]Islam S, Hossain MK, Uddin MS, Prabhu P, Ballal S, Vinay KP, et al. A numerical investigation to design and performance optimization of lead-free Cs2TiCl6based perovskite solar cells with different charge transport layers. Sci Rep 2025;15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06820-1.
[38]Atem M Al, Dridi Rezgui B, Touhami I, Bouaïcha M. Numerical simulation and optimization of high-performance lead-based FAMACsPb(IBr)₃ perovskite solar cells using SCAPS 1D. Results Eng 2026;29:108555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108555.
[39]Treglia A, Ambrosio F, Martani S, Folpini G, Barker AJ, Albaqami MD, et al. Effect of electronic doping and traps on carrier dynamics in tin halide perovskites. Mater Horizons 2022;9:1763–73. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2mh00008c.
[40]Costa C, Manceau M, Duzellier S, Nuns T, Cariou R. Perovskite solar cells under protons irradiation: From in-situ IV-monitoring to root cause degradation elucidation. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 2023;257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2023.112388.
[41]Nguyen D-T, Walter D, Weber K, White T, Duong T. A Research on Perovskite Solar Cells’ Tolerance under Proton Radiations. 2023.
[42]Erickson S, Lum C, Stephens K, Parashar M, Saini DK, Rout B, et al. Elucidating early proton irradiation effects in metal halide perovskites via photoluminescence spectroscopy. IScience 2025;28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.111586.
[43]Rasmetyeva A V., Zyryanov SS, Novoselov IE, Kukharenko AI, Makarov E V., Cholakh SO, et al. Proton Irradiation on Halide Perovskites: Numerical Calculations. Nanomaterials 2024;14. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14010001.
[44]Nguyen DT, Walter D, Weber KJ, Duong T, White TP. Simulating Proton Radiation Tolerance of Perovskite Solar Cells for Space Applications. Adv Energy Sustain Res 2023;4. https://doi.org/10.1002/aesr.202300085.
[45]Song S, Cho HW, Kim H, Kim M, Kim G-H. Perovskite solar cells for low earth orbit space applications. Energy Mater 2026;6:600019. https://doi.org/10.20517/energymater.2025.162.
[46]Martinez Duque RB, Kirmani AR, Sellers IR, Borunda MF. Threshold Displacement Energies in Lead Halide Perovskites from Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations. PRX Energy 2025;4. https://doi.org/10.1103/PRXEnergy.4.013006.
[47]Hughes D, Meroni SMP, Barbé J, Raptis D, Lee HKH, Heasman KC, et al. Proton Radiation Hardness of Perovskite Solar Cells Utilizing a Mesoporous Carbon Electrode. Energy Technol 2021;9. https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.202100928.
[48]Herrera Martínez WO, Correa Guerrero NB, Gómez Andrade VA, Alurralde M, Perez MD. Evaluation of the resistance of halide perovskite solar cells to high energy proton irradiation for space applications. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 2022;238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2022.111644.
[49]Zhang L, Li S, Wang Y, Li H, Chen R, Zhu X, et al. Comparative study on radiation resistance of tin–lead and pure lead perovskite solar cells. Mater Adv 2025;6:8490–6. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MA00737B.
[50]Nordlund K, Zinkle SJ, Sand AE, Granberg F, Averback RS, Stoller R, et al. Improving atomic displacement and replacement calculations with physically realistic damage models. Nat Commun 2018;9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03415-5.
[51]Kishor A, Raj A, Raj M, Goel N. Proton radiation impact on bilayer perovskite solar cells for space Application: A comprehensive SCAPS, DFT and ML study. J Phys Chem Solids 2026;209:113302. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2025.113302.
[52]McMillon-Brown L, Luther JM, Peshek TJ. What Would It Take to Manufacture Perovskite Solar Cells in Space? ACS Energy Lett 2022;7:1040–2. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.2c00276.