Toward Flexible and Stretchable Organic Solar Cells: A Comprehensive Review of Transparent Conductive Electrodes, Photoactive Materials, and Device Performance

Abstract

Flexible and stretchable organic solar cells (FOSCs and SOSCs) hold immense potential due to their versatility and applicability in emerging areas such as wearable electronics, foldable devices, and biointegrated systems. Despite these promising applications, several challenges remain, primarily related to the mechanical durability, material performance, and scalability required for commercialization. This review comprehensively highlights recent advancements in the design and fabrication of FOSCs and SOSCs, with a particular emphasis on key functional layers, including transparent conductive electrodes, interfacial layers, photoactive materials, and top electrodes. Innovations in material design, such as active layers and transparent conductive electrodes with improved flexibility, are discussed alongside developments in device processes to achieve power conversion efficiencies exceeding 19%. Furthermore, the review addresses remaining challenges, including the need for scalable manufacturing techniques and enhanced mechanical robustness under strain. Finally, the prospects of FOSCs and SOSCs are analyzed, providing insights into how these technologies can contribute to the development of sustainable, high‐performance power sources for wearable electronic devices and other flexible electronics. This review offers valuable insights, bringing the commercialization of wearable, high‐performance FOSCs and SOSCs closer to reality.