Efficient fiber-shaped devices for energy conversion and storage

Abstract

Traditional solar cells based on planar sandwiched structures are restricted by heavy electrode materials, cost-consuming technologies and application flexibility. To overcome these issues, fiber-shaped dye-sensitized (FDSC) and perovskite solar cells (FPSC) for potable/wearable energy harvesting were developed, and conversion efficiencies of 8.07% (FDSC) and 5.35% (FPSC) have been achieved [1, 2]. Compared with typical solar cells, theses fiber solar cells are TCO-free, cost-efficient and flexible, exhibiting outstanding light harvesting property [3, 4], which are feasible for utilizing low-cost electrode materials and various optical designs. Also, electrochemical energy storage devices, e.g. supercapacitors [5] and batteries [6], were fabricated into the fiber format, which show advantages in high flexibility, easy to scale, low-cost materials. Further, the innovative incorporation of fiber solar cells and fiber energy storage devices has finally contributed to novel integrated fiber power systems. Overall energy conversion efficiency of 2.1% and 3.4% was achieved for supercapacitor and battery based hybrid energy system, respectively [7, 8].