Adebayo Samuel1, Soglohu Climesia Elikplim2, Nathan Rimamsanati Yohanna3, Moses Adondua Abah3✉ and Micheal Oladosu Abimbola3

 1Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

2Department of Chemistry, Eastern New Mexico University, United States of America

3ResearchHub Nexus Institute, Nigeria

 Received: June 22, 2026/ Revised: Aug 1, 2026/Accepted: Aug 3, 2026

(✉) Corresponding Author: m.abah@fuwukari.edu.ng

Highlights

  • Non-fullerene acceptors and tandem architectures have increased organic photovoltaic power conversion efficiencies beyond 19%.
  • Advances in donor–acceptor materials and interfacial engineering have significantly improved charge transport and device performance.
  • Encapsulation, molecular engineering, and UV protection effectively enhance the operational stability and lifetime of OPV devices.
  • Scalable fabrication methods, including slot-die and blade coating, support the transition toward roll-to-roll commercial manufacturing.
  • Machine learning and high-throughput screening are accelerating material discovery and optimization for durable, high-performance organic photovoltaics.

Abstract

 Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have gained significant attention as lightweight, flexible, and low-cost alternatives to silicon solar cells. The development of non-fullerene acceptors, ternary blends, and tandem device architectures has driven power conversion efficiencies above 19%. However, widespread commercialization remains limited due to challenges in long-term operational stability, scalable processing, and material degradation under environmental stress. Understanding the interplay between material design, device physics, and degradation mechanisms is critical for advancing OPVs toward viable renewable energy applications. This review aimed at critically examining recent advances in OPV materials, device structures, and strategies addressing stability challenges for commercial deployment. Recent progress in donor-acceptor material design, particularly Y-series non-fullerene acceptors, has enabled higher efficiencies and broader spectral absorption through optimized energy levels and morphology. Ternary and tandem architectures further improve photocurrent and voltage by broadening absorption and reducing recombination losses. Advances in interfacial layers and electrode materials have enhanced charge extraction and reduced device resistance. Regarding stability, encapsulation, UV-filtering, and molecular engineering have mitigated photo-oxidation, morphological instability, and burn-in degradation. Studies show that device lifetime can exceed 1000 hours under ISOS protocols when using intrinsically stable polymers and cross-linked acceptors. Scalable fabrication techniques such as slot-die coating and blade coating demonstrate potential for roll-to-roll manufacturing. However, efficiency-stability trade-offs persist, and standardized testing remains inconsistent. Machine learning and high-throughput screening are emerging to accelerate material discovery and predict degradation pathways. OPVs show strong potential for niche and large-area applications due to material and device innovations. Overcoming stability and scalability barriers through robust materials, better encapsulation, and standardized testing will be key to translating lab efficiencies into commercially viable, durable organic solar technologies.

Keywords: Organic photovoltaics, Bulk-heterojunction, Non-fullerene acceptors, Stability, Power conversion efficiency, and Scalable fabrication

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How to cite this article

Samuel, A., Elikplim, S. C., Yohanna, N. R., Abah, M. A., & Abimbola, M. O. (2026). Advances in organic photovoltaics: A review of materials, devices, and stability challenges. Chemical and Environmental Science Archives, 6(3), 37–49. https://doi.org/10.47587/CESA.2026.6302

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