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Biomimetic Electrodes for Flexible Organic Solar Cells with Efficiencies over 16%
Author(s) -
Qu TianYi,
Zuo LiJian,
Chen JingDe,
Shi Xueliang,
Zhang Ting,
Li Ling,
Shen KongChao,
Ren Hao,
Wang Shu,
Xie FengMing,
Li YanQing,
Jen Alex K.Y.,
Tang JianXin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced optical materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 91
ISSN - 2195-1071
DOI - 10.1002/adom.202000669
Subject(s) - materials science , electrode , conformable matrix , optoelectronics , organic solar cell , polydimethylsiloxane , sheet resistance , flexible display , polyimide , flexible electronics , bend radius , electrical conductor , energy conversion efficiency , nanotechnology , roll to roll processing , layer (electronics) , transmittance , surface roughness , substrate (aquarium) , composite material , bending , polymer , chemistry , thin film transistor , oceanography , geology
Flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) are very promising for use in portable power supply devices due to the advantages of low‐cost, light‐weight, and flexibility. However, the efficiencies of flexible OSCs are limited by the flexible transparent electrodes owing to their nonoptimal electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. To address these challenges, leaf‐like biomimetic electrodes are proposed to achieve an efficient light capture and glossy surface for a high‐efficiency flexible OSC. To mimic the internal anatomy of the leaf, the conformable electrode stack consists of a flexible polyimide substrate, light‐scattering polystyrene spheres, zinc oxide protecting layer, and electrically conductive silver nanowires to obtain a high transmittance, low sheet resistance, and low surface roughness. A record‐high power conversion efficiency of 16.1% is realized by a flexible OSC with the biomimetic electrode design, comparable to those rigid devices on glass. Moreover, the flexible OSC on this biomimetic electrode exhibits a robust bendability against flexural strain, retaining 85% of the initial efficiency after 5000 bending cycles at a radius of curvature as small as 1.0 mm.