As the global need for clean and sustainable energy sources grows, research into alternatives to fossil fuels has intensified. Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) stand out among new photovoltaic technologies due to their impressive efficiencies and cost-effective, solution-based production. However, their long-term instability poses a significant challenge to their commercialization. This review offers a thorough examination of recent advancements in improving PSC performance by incorporating carbon-based materials, such as carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon black into various components of the devices. These materials provide distinct benefits, including outstanding chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, environmental durability, and compatibility with scalable manufacturing methods. By evaluating synthesis methods, interfacial engineering techniques, and performance results, this article demonstrates how carbon materials can enhance device efficiency, mechanical flexibility, and operational stability simultaneously. The review concludes by identifying future opportunities and research directions for carbon-enhanced PSCs, paving the way for cost-effective, durable, and sustainable next-generation solar technologies.

Next-generation perovskite solar cells empowered by carbon based materials: challenges and future opportunities
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Overview of PSCs
    3 Carbon materials in perovskite solar cells
        3.1 Types of carbon materials
            3.1.1 Carbon Dots
            3.1.2 Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
            3.1.3 Graphene
            3.1.4 Carbon black
    4 Synthesis and preparation methods
        4.1 Templates assisted method
            4.1.1 Hard templates
            4.1.2 Soft templates
    4.2 Laser ablation
    4.3 Electrochemical oxidation
    4.4 Arc discharge
    4.5 CVD
    5 In-situ characterization methods and first-principles calculations
        5.1 Raman spectroscopy
        5.2 Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
        5.3 X-ray diffraction (XRD)
        5.4 First-principle calculation
        5.5 Density functional theory (DFT)
        5.6 Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC)
    6 Applications of carbon materials in PSCs
        6.1 Carbon as electrode material
        6.2 Carbon as Hole-Transport layer (HTL)
        6.3 Carbon in the active layer
    7 Performance enhancements using carbon materials
    8 Challenges
    9 Future prospects
    10 Conclusion
    References

• Neha Kumari(School of Physics and Materials Science, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, India)
• Prerit Chauhan(School of Physics and Materials Science, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, India)
• Vishal Sharma(School of Physics and Materials Science, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, India)
• Gun Anit Kaur(School of Physics and Materials Science, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, India)
• Sahil Kumar(School of Physics and Materials Science, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, India) Corresponding author
• Mamta Shandilya(School of Physics and Materials Science, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, India)