Champion Device Architectures for Low-Cost and Stable Single-Junction Perovskite Solar Cells

High power conversion efficiencies (PCE), low energypayback time(EPBT), and low manufacturing costs render perovskite solar cells(PSCs) competitive; however, a relatively low operational stabilityimpedes their large-scale deployment. In addition, state-of-the-artPSCs are made of expensive materials, including the organic hole transportmaterials (HTMs) and the noble metals used as the charge collectionelectrode, which induce degradation in PSCs. Thus, developing inexpensivealternatives is crucial to fostering the transition from academicresearch to industrial development. Combining a carbon-based electrodewith an inorganic HTM has shown the highest potential and should replacenoble metals and organic HTMs. In this review, we illustrate the incorporationof a carbon layer as a back contact instead of noble metals and inorganicHTMs instead of organic ones as two cornerstones for achieving optimalstability and economic viability for PSCs. We discuss the primaryconsiderations for the selection of the absorbing layer as well asthe electron-transporting layer to be compatible with the championdesigns and ultimate architecture for single-junction PSCs. More studiesregarding the long-term stability are still required. Using the recommendeddevice architecture presented in this work would pave the way towardconstructing low-cost and stable PSCs.