Recent Advances in Polymer Solar Cells for Enhanced Active-Layer Stability

In recent years, significant strides have been made in enhancing the efficiency of polymer solar cells (PSCs) through the development of innovative materials and novel device structures. However, the successful commercialization of PSCs requires not only high efficiency but also excellent stability. Consequently, the long-term stability of PSCs has become a focal point of research, as their performance can be adversely affected by various factors such as oxygen, moisture, heat, light, and mechanical stress. This review comprehensively overviews the evolution of active layers in binary, ternary, and single-component PSCs under different external conditions, such as heat, light, and mechanical stress. Furthermore, the device lifetime and the underlying mechanisms that govern the stability of these devices are discussed. In the end, several recommendations are suggested to enhance the stability of PSCs, which could pave the way for their broader commercial adoption.