Evolving solar cell manufacturing: the promising outlook of open-air perovskite printing

Perovskite-based solar cells stand out as promising candidates due to their remarkable optoelectronic properties and cost-effective processing methods. These advanced materials have garnered considerable research interest owing to their rapidly increasing power conversion efficiencies. Additionally, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can be flexible, lightweight, and semi-transparent, expanding their applicability. While conventional spin-coating techniques have achieved record power conversion efficiencies for PSCs, scalability remains a challenge. Furthermore, these materials face two significant hurdles: instability when exposed to open air and concerns regarding chemical toxicity, primarily from lead (Pb) and solvent use. Recent advancements have focused on open-air printing techniques, which offer scalability and adaptability for large-scale production. However, the lack of standardized fabrication protocols and the need to mitigate chemical toxicity remain ongoing challenges. In this comprehensive review, we thoroughly examine the latest developments in perovskite solar cell technology, with a particular emphasis on open-air printing processes. We explore the strategies employed to enhance stability, efficiency, and scalability, highlighting the critical role of open-air printing in achieving these objectives. Furthermore, this review addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with open-air printing, including material synthesis, and device architecture. We analyze recent breakthroughs in materials and interface, and solvent engineering, as well as device fabrication techniques, driving advancements in the field towards simplified, large-area fabrication protocols for PSCs.