Mechanical stability of flexible perovskite solar cells: challenges, strategies, and prospects

Abstract

Flexible perovskite solar cells (F-PSCs) have emerged as a transformative photovoltaic technology with exceptional power conversion efficiencies exceeding 25%, lightweight nature, and compatibility with roll-to-roll manufacturing, yet their commercial deployment faces critical challenges due to insufficient mechanical stability under repetitive deformation. This review systematically examines the mechanical failure mechanisms in F-PSCs, including crack propagation, interfacial delamination, and electrode degradation, which are exacerbated by synergistic interactions with environmental factors such as moisture, oxygen, and light. We comprehensively analyze recent advances in enhancing mechanical resilience through multifaceted strategies encompassing grain boundary engineering with low-dimensional phases and molecular additives, interface engineering utilizing specialized monolayers and polymer networks, and bioinspired structural designs informed by natural systems, which collectively mitigate stress concentration, strengthen interfacial adhesion, and enable superior damage tolerance in flexible perovskite photovoltaics. By integrating insights from material design to structural optimization, this review provides a comprehensive framework for addressing mechanical stability challenges in F-PSCs, advancing their potential applications in wearable electronics and portable power sources.