A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
Combining cellulose substrates and perovskites in sustainable solar cells is possible: a systematic literature review offering realistic solutions
Authors: Valdez García, Joaquín; Hadadian, Mahboubeh; Aggarwal, Vidushi; Yli-Paavola, Sirius; Kaschuk, Joice; Suhonen, Riikka; Välimäki, Marja; Miettunen, Kati
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Green Chemistry
ISSN: 1463-9262
eISSN: 1463-9270
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5GC05281E
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1039/d5gc05281e
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/508990967
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
The aim of this article is to provide direction for the advancement of cellulose films as sustainable substrates for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, represents a viable, renewable alternative to glass and synthetic polymers when subjected to appropriate modifications. It can be customized via crosslinking, plasticization, and functionalization to increase flexibility and solvent resistance while decreasing gas permeation, surface roughness, and thermal expansion. The adoption of cellulose can drive transformative changes in PSC processing, facilitating the integration of sustainable electrode materials and greener alternatives to toxic solvents, as well as the replacement of high-temperature treatments. Although the literature contains numerous solutions to specific challenges, these findings are scattered across different fields and must be critically assessed for PSC suitability. In this article, we critically review alternative fabrication methods and form a step-by-step multidisciplinary strategy to alter both cellulose and PSC fabrication protocols for the development of sustainable next-generation solar cells.
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Funding information in the publication:
J. V. G. thanks the Research Council of Finland, project ECOSOL (347275). M. H. thanks PROFI7/SUSMAT funding provided by the Research Council of Finland. V. A., S. Y. and K. M. thank Circular Materials Bioeconomy Network funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland (CIMANET, Decision No. VN/3137/2024-OKM-6). J. K. acknowledges that she is part of the Sector Plan Engineering II, which is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW). M. V. and R. S. acknowledge the support provided by the Research Council of Finland (RCF), Printed intelligence infrastructure funding, decision 358621 and the RCF Flagship Programme, Photonics Research and Innovation (PREIN), decision number 346545.
