Sustainable Green Process for Environmentally Viable Perovskite Solar Cells

Persistent efforts toward an implementation of green chemistry are highly encouraged in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) research not only because the sustainable chemistry is ideally inseparable from the renewable photovoltaic technology but also because commercialization of PSC practically demands a green technology to reduce its impact on the environmental, health, and safety (EHS). In this Review, we thoroughly examine the materials used in PSCs to assess their potential hazards from the perspective of EHS, followed by an introduction to recycling technologies for PSCs that offer feasible and rational strategies to resolve those issues. In addition to the materials, solvents are taken into consideration due to their importance in determining the occupational risk during mass production of PSCs via solution processes. Progress in the development of green solvents to protect the health of the workforce and to maintain safety in the workplace is accordingly highlighted. Lastly, we carefully propose an overall perspective with a discussion of the remaining challenges facing the development of the environmentally viable PSCs.