Green chemistry approaches to perovskite solar cells and lithium-ion batteries: Sustainable materials, processes, and recycling

The transition to a low-carbon energy system depends not only on the performance of emerging energy devices, but also on the sustainability of the chemistry that underpins them. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are two cornerstone technologies of this transition, yet both currently rely on toxic precursors, hazardous solvents, energy-intensive processing, and critical raw materials with limited natural abundance. Conventional PSC fabrication still depends heavily on lead-based absorbers and dimethylformamide-class solvents, while LIB manufacturing and end-of-life management raise pressing concerns around cobalt and nickel sourcing, fluorinated electrolytes, and the accumulation of spent cells from electric vehicles, which surpassed 10 million units sold annually in recent years. Addressing these challenges requires a chemistry-driven approach centered on greener materials, cleaner synthetic and electrochemical routes, and effective recovery of valuable elements from spent devices.This Research Topic aims to bring together advances in green and sustainable chemistry — and the underlying electrochemistry — that improve the environmental profile of PSCs and LIBs across their full chemical life cycle. The focus lies on sustainable material design (including lead-free or low-toxicity perovskites and earth-abundant electrode chemistries), greener solvents and processing routes, low-energy and scalable fabrication methods, the development of safer and more sustainable electrolytes, and closed-loop hydrometallurgical, bio-metallurgical, and direct recycling strategies for lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other critical metals. Mechanistic and electrochemical studies that clarify how greener chemistries influence device behavior, degradation, and reuse pathways are equally welcome, as are contributions that connect molecular and interfacial design to circular-economy outcomes.To strengthen understanding and innovation across these areas, we welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Perspectives addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Perovskite photovoltaic technology (single junction, multi junction, module)• Green solvents and solvent-free or low-temperature processing routes for PSC fabrication• Earth-abundant, cobalt-reduced, or cobalt-free electrode materials for LIBs• Sustainable and safer electrolytes, including aqueous, ionic-liquid, and polymer-based systems• Greener electrochemical synthesis, deposition, and interface engineering for PSCs and LIBs• Hydrometallurgical, bio-metallurgical, and direct recycling methods for Li, Co, Ni, and Mn recovery• Reuse, repurposing, and second-life electrochemical strategies for spent LIBs• Mechanistic and electrochemical studies linking sustainable chemistry choices to device performance and durability Topic editors: Dongmei He, Liang Wang, Huan Bi, Shengxi Wu, Zhihong Luo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85203/green-chemistry-approaches-to-perovskite-solar-cells-and-lithium-ion-batteries-sustainable-materials-processes-and-recycling