Future of Energy: Optimizing Performance and Sustainability in PSCs and LIBs

With the growth of global energy demand and the intensification of environmental challenges, the importance of new energy decision-making and sustainable environmental development is becoming increasingly prominent. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are two key research directions in the field of new energy, playing an extremely important role and significance in promoting the development of the new energy sector.

PSCs developed by several groups have demonstrated distinguished power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 26%, which exhibits immense commercial application prospects. The rapid improvement in efficiency is mainly attributed to the continuous optimization of strategies. Though PCE gets rapid development, the stability issue, which is another primary commercialization concern, still faces severe challenges. The long work stability of PSCs, especially large area modules and tandem cells, is still uncertain under outdoor operation conditions with a wide variability in reported stabilities for laboratory samples.

Modern society is making numerous efforts to reduce reliance on carbon-based energy systems. A notable solution in this transition is the adoption of LIBs as potent energy sources, owing to their high energy and power densities. However, LIBs must exhibit long-lasting cyclability and high energy storage capacities to facilitate prolonged device usage, thereby offering a potential alternative to conventional sources like fossil fuels.

Moreover, the amount of global hybrid-electric and all electric vehicle has increased dramatically in just five years and reached an all-time high of over 10 million units in 2022. A good deal of waste lithium (Li)-containing batteries from dead vehicles are invaluable unconventional resources. In order to promote the sustainable development of resources, there is an urgent need to recycle lithium and other metals from LIBs.

This Research Topic aims to delve into the critical challenges and solutions associated with PSCs and LIBs, focusing on enhancing performance, extending lifespan, and promoting recycling efforts. The goal includes overcoming the stability and efficiency bottlenecks in PSCs, improving the cyclability and energy storage capacities of LIBs, and developing effective methods for recycling rare and precious metals from expended batteries. Addressing these issues is fundamental to advancing the application and commercial viability of these technologies in the new energy landscape.

To strengthen understanding and innovation in these areas, this call for papers seeks contributions that explore several related themes:

• Strategies for improving PCE and stability in PSCs
• Advances in cyclability and energy storage in LIBs
• Sustainable recycling methods for lithium and other precious metals from used batteries
• Enhancements in large area modules and tandem cells for PSCs
• Case studies on the environmental impacts of LIBs and PSCs
• Technological innovations for optimizing performance and commercialization of PSCs and LIBs.