Improving perovskite solar cell (PSC) efficiencies would not have been possible without discovering and incorporating novel materials. More significant than materials usage is the compatibility of various material components in the entire device. Charge transport materials have been at the heart of this discussion to decide a PSC's functioning fundamentally. This review highlights various high-efficiency examples using alternate charge transport materials, bringing us one step closer to commercializing this technology. The article also elaborates on recent innovations in Bismuth and Copper-based PSCs. These are possible candidates to replace the conventional materials used in a standard PSC and affirmatively yield favorable results through extensive research.

Perovskite Solar Cell (PSC) is a third-generation photovoltaic device known for its rapid improvement in efficiency levels over the past decade. Moreover, the added benefits of abundant sourcing of raw materials, uncomplicated fabrication process, organic and inorganic device materials, and tuneable bandgaps make this technology a sustainable energy alternative. However, the efficiency values of these devices are subjected to variation depending on factors such as material compatibility, environmental conditions, energy band alignment of device components and stability characteristics to extrinsic and intrinsic factors. One such vital intrinsic factor is film morphology, homogenous and superior film quality formation and pinhole and trap-free films. In this study, we have investigated the formation of perovskite films on a qualitative basis using metal chloride washing of salts such as Erbium, Antimony, Cadmium and Chromium Chloride. The study aims to analyse the difference in film formation with various metal chloride washing and how this could potentially impact or contribute to photovoltaic performance if the devices are fabricated.

<p><strong>Abstract:</strong> Over the past decade, lead halide perovskite light absorbers have been the conventionally used perovskite light absorbers. However, there is an urgent call for alternative perovskite materials with toxicity levels and poor stability to UV radiations. Antimony-based perovskites have proven to be a material with unique optoelectronic properties, conventional fabrication processes, low-toxicity levels and high stability values. In this review, we look into the structure of antimony perovskites, the various research achievements over recent years, and the challenges and opportunities ahead for this budding technology. The review also highlights the various computational, theoretical and experimental studies done by researchers to highlight the peculiar Lead-free perovskite materials and their distinctive features. Although the efficiency levels of these devices are not very high, the improvements they have made with remarkable stability characteristics make them a viable candidate for commercial perovskite photovoltaics</p>

Keeping in mind our community's dependency on non-renewable sources of energy, it is a gravitating issue that seeks our attention and requires us to switch to renewable sources of energy at the earliest. A Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) is a third-generation photovoltaic technology that has immense capability to become highly commercial in a few years. Along the same lines, it is necessary to highlight that current DSSCs have shallow lifetime values, stability and performance. The efficiency of current DSSCs and the need to tackle their choice of materials and long-term stability is a concern. Some of the highest recorded efficiency values are around 12%, and this calls for severe replacement of conventional DSSC materials, modifications in the device structure and molecules, and improvement in testing and scaling-up measures. This review article underlines an introduction to DSSCs, working principle, components, high-efficiency DSSCs, strategies to improve device performance, DSSCs research in India, the advantages and disadvantages of the device, and recent research on fruit and flower-based DSSCs. Keywords: Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Solar Cell Materials, Third Generation Photovoltaics, High-Efficiency Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells are a new breed of solar cells belonging to the third generation of innovations that have witnessed an efficiency boost from 3.8% to 25.5% in a time frame of 10 years. There are a number of manufacturing techniques known and discovered by man to maximize the possibility of scalability across all sectors. Each synthesizing technique emerges with its own set of pros and cons which need to be correspondingly tackled based on the application scenario. The research advancements currently being carried out are discovering materials that can be exploited to replace the current PSCs and overcome the challenges of these devices, band gap engineering, and revamping metal contacts and lastly, reducing toxicity of current PSCs are few of the varied research opportunities available in this domain of renewables.