Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells with High Power-Per-Weight: Progress, Application, and Perspectives

In our day-to-day lives, advances in lightweight and flexible photovoltaics will promote a new generation of soft electronics and machines requiring high power-perweight. Ultrathin flexible perovskite solar cells (F-PSCs) with high power-per-weight have displayed a unique potential for specific applications where lower weight, higher flexibility, and conformability are indispensable. This Review highlights the recent progress and practical applications of ultrathin and lightweight F-PSCs and demonstrates the routes toward enhanced device efficiency and improved mechanical and environmental stability concerning the choice of flexible substrates and the development of high-performance functional layers and flexible transparent electrodes. The fabrication technologies for mass production of efficient F-PSCs at large scale are then summarized, including continuous roll-to-roll methods integrated with low-temperature process. Furthermore, the practical applications focused on self-powered wearable electronic devices, solar-powered miniature unmanned aerial vehicles, and even solar modules operating in near-space are elaborated. Finally, the current challenging issues and future perspective are discussed, aiming to promote more extensive applications and commercialization processes for lightweight F-PSCs.

Automated summary

The advance of lightweight and flexible ultrathin perovskite solar cells is promoting a new generation of soft electronics and machines requiring high power-per-weight ratio. The review highlights the recent progress, practical applications, fabrication technologies, and challenges of ultrathin and lightweight F-PSCs, aiming to promote their extensive applications and commercialization processes.