Towards all-solution-processed top-illuminated flexible organic solar cells using ultrathin Ag-modified graphite-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrates

All-solution-processed flexible organic solar cells (FOSCs) with high power conversion efficiency (PCE) are the prerequisite for application in low-cost, large-area, flexible, photovoltaic devices. In this work, high-performance, top-illuminated FOSCs using ultrathin Ag-modified graphite-coated poly...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wang Shuanglong, Zhao Yi, Lian Hong, Peng Cuiyun, Yang Xuyong, Gao Yulai, Peng Yan, Lan Weixia, Elmi Omar Ibrahim, Stiévenard Didier, Wei Bin, Zhu Furong, Xu Tao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2019-01-01
Series:Nanophotonics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/nanoph.2019.8.issue-2/nanoph-2018-0189/nanoph-2018-0189.xml?format=INT
Description
Summary:All-solution-processed flexible organic solar cells (FOSCs) with high power conversion efficiency (PCE) are the prerequisite for application in low-cost, large-area, flexible, photovoltaic devices. In this work, high-performance, top-illuminated FOSCs using ultrathin Ag-modified graphite-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrates are demonstrated. The ultrathin Ag-modified graphite/PET substrates have excellent electric conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and easy processability for FOSCs. A PCE of 5.31% for FOSCs, based on the blend system poly[4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b′]dith-iophene-co-3-fluorothieno[3,4-b]thiophene-2-carboxylate]: [6,6]-phenyl-C7l-but-yric acid methyl ester, having a bilayer of MoOx/Ag upper transparent anode is demonstrated. Top-illuminated FOSCs with a transparent upper electrode of solution-processed Ag nanowires also yielded a PCE of 3.76%. All-solution-processed FOSCs exhibit excellent mechanical flexibility and retain >81% of the initial efficiency after 500 cycles of bending test. Furthermore, graphite-based electrodes demonstrate good heat-insulation properties. The outcomes of this work offer an alternative to fabricate high-performance, all-solution-processable, top-illuminated FOSCs, providing a commercially viable approach for application in large-area solar cells that can be prepared by printing and roll-to-roll fabrication processes.
ISSN:2192-8614