Stability of Lead‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells

Pranta Barua; Naveen Kumar Elumalai; Ashraf Uddin; Prashant Sonar; Kannoorpatti Krishnan

doi:10.1002/adsu.202600008

Back

Stability of Lead‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Stability of Lead‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells

Pranta Barua, Naveen Kumar Elumalai, Ashraf Uddin, Prashant Sonar and Kannoorpatti Krishnan

Advanced Sustainable Systems, Vol.10(3), pp.1-74

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202600008

Files and links (1)

pdf

Advanced Sustainable Systems - 2026 - Barua - Stability of Lead‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells11.42 MBDownload View

Published Version Open Access CC BY-NC V4.0

Abstract

characterization

commercialization

degradation

lead‐free

perovskite

solar cells

stability

Lead‐free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as sustainable alternatives to toxic lead‐based counterparts, offering environmental compatibility and tunable optoelectronic properties. However, achieving long‐term stability remains a major bottleneck hindering commercialization. Among lead‐free systems, tin‐based perovskites have received the greatest attention owing to their structural and electronic similarity to Pb‐based analogs and their potential for high efficiencies, yet they remain limited by intrinsic Sn2+ oxidation, ion migration, and rapid degradation under ambient conditions. In contrast, antimony‐, bismuth‐, and germanium‐based perovskites exhibit superior chemical and environmental stability but suffer from wide bandgaps, localized electronic states, and low carrier mobility, resulting in modest power conversion efficiencies. This review provides a comprehensive, stability‐centered analysis of lead‐free PSCs, emphasizing intrinsic degradation mechanisms, extrinsic stress factors, and the role of fabrication, interfacial, and additive engineering in improving device stability. Advanced in‐situ and operando characterization techniques are discussed to elucidate defect dynamics and degradation pathways. While Sn‐based systems are analyzed in greater detail due to the availability and depth of mechanistic studies, equal attention is given to recent developments in Bi‐, Sb‐, and Ge‐based perovskites to present a balanced perspective. Finally, key challenges, mitigation strategies, and future research directions are outlined to guide the design of stable, efficient, and environmentally benign lead‐free perovskite photovoltaics. This review article discusses the very recent status of stability of lead‐free perovskite solar cells, possible challenges, fabrication techniques, the degradation mechanism of lead‐free PSCs affecting stability, possible causes hindering the simultaneous improvement of efficiency and stability of lead‐free PSCs, potential outlook, and future research direction.

Details

Title: Stability of Lead‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Pranta Barua (Corresponding Author) - Charles Darwin University
Naveen Kumar Elumalai (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Ashraf Uddin - UNSW Sydney
Prashant Sonar - Queensland University of Technology
Kannoorpatti Krishnan - Charles Darwin University
Publication details: Advanced Sustainable Systems, Vol.10(3), pp.1-74
Publisher: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1002/adsu.202600008
ISSN: 2366-7486
Copyright note: © 2026 The Author(s). Advanced Sustainable Systems published by Wiley-VCH GmbH. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Data Availability: The authors have nothing to report.
Grants: Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, RTP, Department of Education (Australia, Canberra)
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991216244402621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

1 Record Views