Perovskite Solar Cells: Current Trends in Graphene‐Based Materials for Transparent Conductive Electrodes, Active Layers, Charge Transport Layers, and Encapsulation Layers

Abstract

The low fabrication cost, solution processability, and easy scalability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), coupled with the rapid increase in their power conversion efficiency (PCE) from an initial value of 3.8% to a recently certified value of ≈25.5%, have enabled PSCs to compete with silicon‐based solar cells that currently exhibit PCEs of above 26.0%. However, unlike silicon‐based devices that are commercialized, the commercialization of PSCs is being hindered by factors, such as their poor long‐term operational stability, the high toxicity of lead (Pb), and the use of expensive materials, e.g., gold (Au) or silver (Ag). Hence, to address the aforementioned issues, significant research effort is exerted on novel graphene‐based materials, with their merits, which include low cost, excellent stability, nontoxicity, and remarkable optoelectronic properties. Nevertheless, graphene‐based PSCs are relatively less studied and are still in their infancy. This study presents recent developments in applying graphene‐based materials in electrodes, perovskite active layers, charge transport layers, and encapsulation layers of PSCs, focusing particularly on breakthroughs achieved over the last three years (2018–2020). The merits, shortcomings, and outlook of this field are discussed to propose future research directions for the low‐cost fabrication and commercialization of highly efficient and sustainable PSCs.

Keywords

• active layers
• charge transport layers
• graphene
• perovskite solar cells
• transparent conductive electrodes