Polymer incorporation in perovskite solar cells: A review of stabilization mechanisms and performance enhancement

Perovskite materials have emerged as promising candidates for solar cell applications due to their exceptional properties, including long diffusion lengths, high charge carrier mobility, substantial absorbance coefficients across the visible solar spectrum, and a narrow band gap range. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit favorable characteristics such as cost-effective manufacturing, compatibility with lightweight flexible substrates, and impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) surpassing 25%. However, the commercialization of PSCs faces significant hurdles, primarily stemming from the poor stability of perovskite materials. Efforts to overcome this challenge have led to extensive research, with particular attention directed toward the exploration of various additives, among which polymers have shown notable promise. Polymers offer distinct advantages, including robust interactions with grain boundaries, cross-linking capabilities, and self-healing properties, thereby presenting attractive prospects for enhancing stability. This review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of polymer-modified perovskite composites for solar cell applications. It encompasses essential topics such as the introduction to hybrid-inorganic perovskite solar cells, the fundamental principles underlying polymer integration in perovskite solar cells, methodologies employed to achieve self-healing characteristics, and the impacts of polymer incorporation on perovskite materials. A thorough understanding of these aspects is crucial for driving future advancements in the stability of PSCs.