Non‐Metallic Back Contacts for Indoor Perovskite Solar Cells: Material Criteria, Recent Progress, and Future Outlook

Y Yang Yang S Saveen Senanayake (School of Chemistry and Physics Faculty of Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia) M Minh Tam Hoang (School of Chemistry and Physics Faculty of Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia) J Jiaye Ye (School of Chemistry and Physics Faculty of Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia) N Ngoc Duy Pham (Halocell Australia Pty Ltd Bomen NSW 2650 Australia) H Hongxia Wang (Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden)

Abstract

Abstract Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a leading technology for indoor photovoltaics due to their high‐power conversion efficiency, tunable bandgaps, and cost‐effective fabrication. While significant efforts are made in optimizing perovskite absorbers and charge extraction layers, the role of back contacts (BCs), particularly non‐metallic alternatives, remains largely underexplored in indoor PSCs. BCs critically influence charge collection, device stability, and overall performance under low‐intensity indoor illumination, yet most studies have historically prioritized metallic electrodes, overlooking cost‐effective, stable, and flexible non‐metallic options. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of BC materials in indoor PSCs, with a particular focus on non‐metallic electrodes, including carbon‐based electrodes and transparent conductive electrodes. It begins with an overview of indoor PSCs, covering indoor light sources, perovskite materials and bandgaps, and fundamental roles of BCs, followed by recent developments in non‐metallic BCs. Key challenges related to performance and energy output density, processability and scalability, mechanical flexibility and durability, as well as different types of BC materials, are discussed along with promising strategies for interface engineering, low‐temperature processing, and material innovation. By highlighting this critical research gap, the review offers actionable insights into advancing efficient, stable, and scalable indoor PSCs for self‐powered electronics and IoT applications.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 4
Published January 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (6)

Y

Yang Yang

S

Saveen Senanayake

School of Chemistry and Physics Faculty of Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia

M

Minh Tam Hoang

School of Chemistry and Physics Faculty of Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia

J

Jiaye Ye

School of Chemistry and Physics Faculty of Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia

N

Ngoc Duy Pham

Halocell Australia Pty Ltd Bomen NSW 2650 Australia

H

Hongxia Wang

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden