# Organic Nanostructured Materials for Sustainable Application in Next Generation Solar Cells
###### Abstract  
Meeting our current energy demands requires a reliable and efficient renewable energy source that will bring balance between power generation and energy consumption. Organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), perovskite solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are among the next-generation technologies that are progressing as potential sustainable renewable energy sources. Since the discoveries of highly conductive organic charge-transfer compounds in the 1950s, organic semiconductors have captured attention. Organic photovoltaic solar cells possess key characteristics ideal for emerging next-generation technologies such as being nontoxic, abundant, an inexpensive nanomaterial with ease of production, including production under ambient conditions. In this review article, we discuss recent methods developed towards improving the stability and average efficiency of nanostructured materials in OPVs aimed at sustainable agriculture and improve land-use efficiency. A comprehensive overview on developing cost-effective and user-friendly organic solar cells to contribute towards improved environmental stability is provided. We also summarize recent advances in the synthetic methods used to produce nanostructured active absorber layers of OPVs with improved efficiencies to supply the energy required towards ending poverty and protecting the planet. organic photovoltaics (OPVs); nanostructured materials; power conversion efficiency (PCE); agrivoltatics; green chemistry; clean energy +
Footnote †: journal: Applied Sciences  
14 October 2021  
12 November 2021  
**Publisher's Note:** MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. cells of the first generation are highly expensive to develop (single crystal, multi-crystal solar cells, etc.) and have poor efficiency. The second generation includes solar cells with even lower efficiency but reduced production costs (such as tin-thin film and Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) solar cells), resulting in lower cost per watt than first-generation cells. Next-generation photovoltaic solar cells, popularly known as \"third-generation PVs,\" are low-cost but high-performance solar cells [10]. Simple production, minimal cost, and high performance are the major characteristics of these emerging solar cells. Additional advantages such as flexibility and light-weight may promote new applications including portable power, interior light harvesters, and solar wings for drones [11]. There are four primary kinds of emerging solar cells which seem to address the roadblocks towards large-scale implementation of solar cells, these emerging solar cells are organic photovoltaics (OPVs) [12], perovskite [13] dye-sensitized [14] and organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells [15]. Before these technologies could emerge, solid-state silicon solar cells have been the primary driving factor in photovoltaic technology for a few decades due to silicon being relatively abundant, environmentally benign, having good material quality and the widespread technological know-how [14]. However, because solid-state silicon solar cells are fragile and tight, they are not suitable for transportation. Another problem is that the components are still quite expensive when compared to some of the other solar technology alternatives. Nonetheless, technological advancements are gradually permitting the use of lower-cost but lower-quality silicon. As a result, silicon solar cells are becoming more inexpensive, particularly with government subsidies. Therefore, it is worth further investigation which could result in new breakthroughs for solid-state photovoltaic solar cells. Moreover, another disadvantages of crystalline silicon is that its electronic band-gap is indirect in nature, making it a poor absorber of long wavelength sunlight [16]. Because of their high absorption coefficient, great carrier mobility, and easily adjustable band-gaps.