Multifunctional roles and advances of polymers in solar cell technologies: a review

The integration of polymeric materials into solar cell technologies has emerged as a transformative approach to address the limitations of conventional rigid photovoltaic systems while enabling new functionalities and applications. This comprehensive review examines the multifunctional contributions of polymers across all components of solar cell architectures, from flexible substrates to innovative protective coatings. A critical evaluation of polymer applications reveals significant progress in organic photovoltaics, where donor-acceptor copolymers have enabled power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 18% in single-junction devices. In perovskite solar cells, polymeric hole-transport materials and encapsulation systems have demonstrated comparable performance to expensive alternatives, while offering enhanced thermal stability and reduced costs. Advanced encapsulation polymers based on polyolefin elastomers have demonstrated superior UV resistance and reduced potential-induced degradation compared to traditional ethylene-vinyl acetate systems. Innovative coatings that incorporate superhydrophobic and anti-reflective properties have demonstrated the ability to maintain over 95% of their initial power output after 12 months of outdoor exposure, representing a 10% improvement over uncoated modules. This review offers critical insights for researchers and industry practitioners seeking to advance polymer-enabled solar technologies, providing both a fundamental understanding and practical guidance for materials selection, device design, and manufacturing optimization.