Advancements in metal-organic framework synthesis and their role in enhancing perovskite and organic solar cells

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently attracted significant interest due to their unique properties, such as high specific surface area, nanoporous structures, and versatile chemical and physical characteristics. These attributes make MOFs highly promising for optoelectronic applications, especially in solar cell research. Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) and Organic Solar Cells (OSCs) offer several advantages, including low-cost production, flexibility, and the potential for high efficiency. However, a major limitation of these solar cells is their stability, which affects their long-term performance and commercial viability. This review paper delves into the latest advancements in MOF synthesis and their applications in how MOFs enhance the efficiency and stability of PSCs and OSCs. It analyzes the relationship between MOFs' structure, properties, and their derivatives for energy conversion applications. MOFs have been utilized to address these stability issues by serving in various capacities, including electron and hole transport layers, additional interlayers, and hybrid perovskite/MOF structures. This review serves as a comprehensive resource for those interested in MOFs and their energy conversion applications. • This review explores the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as advanced materials in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and organic solar cells (OSCs). • Recent advancements in the synthesis of MOFs are reviewed, showcasing methods for tailored properties beneficial to solar energy applications. • The role of MOFs in defect passivation is highlighted, emphasizing their impact on the efficiency and stability of PSCS and OSCs. • The potential different roles of MOFs are explored to enhance charge transport and reduce recombination losses, highlighting their contribution to improved solar cell stabilities and power conversion efficiencies.