Topic: Emerging Photovoltaics: From Materials to Device Physics and Characterization

This Special Issue will explore the latest advancements in emerging photovoltaic technologies, with a particular focus on organic, perovskite, and inorganic thin-film solar cells. It aims to bridge the gap between materials innovation, device engineering, and fundamental understanding by showcasing cutting-edge research on the design, synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of next-generation photovoltaic systems.

We invite original research and review articles that address key challenges and highlight recent breakthroughs in rapidly advancing photovoltaic technologies. Submissions are welcome on, but not limited to, the following topics:

Novel materials development: New donor, acceptor, and interfacial materials for organic and perovskite systems; emerging inorganic absorbers such as Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe), antimony-based chalcogenides, cadmium telluride (CdTe), and Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS); and hybrid or multifunctional materials for enhanced optoelectronic performance.

Device architecture and fabrication techniques: Innovative device structures, tandem configurations, and advances in solution processing, vapor deposition, and scalable printing methods applicable to a broad range of thin-film photovoltaics.

Performance optimization strategies: Approaches including morphology control, interface engineering, doping, bandgap tuning, and defect management to improve efficiency, stability, and charge extraction.

Stability and degradation mechanisms: Investigations into environmental, thermal, and operational degradation across different photovoltaic platforms, along with strategies for improving long-term reliability.

Working mechanisms and device physics: In-depth studies of charge generation, transport, recombination, ion migration, and energy-level alignment using advanced spectroscopic, electrical, and structural characterization tools.

By integrating insights from materials chemistry, device physics, and device engineering, this Special Issue seeks to advance the scientific foundation and technological readiness of organic, perovskite, and inorganic thin-film solar cells, accelerating their path toward sustainable and low-cost solar energy solutions.

Scope and Topics

● Organic solar cells;

● Perovskite solar cells;

● Photovoltaic materials;

● Non-fullerene acceptors;

● Device architecture;

● Interface engineering;

● Charge transport;

● Stability and degradation;

● Morphology control;

● Tandem solar cells;

● Device physics;

● Advanced characterization;

● Solution processing;

● Scalable fabrication;

● Inorganic thin-film solar cells;

● CZTSSe solar cells;

● Antimony-based chalcogenide solar cells;

● CdTe solar cells;

● CIGS solar cells.

Organic solar cells, perovskite solar cells, thin-film photovoltaics, photovoltaic materials and device stability