Abstract
In this study, we developed a method for fabricating ultrathin polymer substrates that can be used in ultra-flexible organic photovoltaics (OPVs) via a non-vacuum process using cyclic transparent optical polymer. In addition, a Ag nanowire network layer was used as a transparent electrode in a solution process. All processes were conducted on large area via spin coating. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the ultra-flexible OPV improved by 6.4% compared to the PCE of the ITO/Glass-based OPV. In addition, the PCE of the OPV increased to 10.12% after introducing nanostructures in the ZnO and photoactive layers. We performed 1000 cycles of compression/relaxation tests to evaluate the mechanical properties of the ultra-flexible OPV, after which, the PCE remained at 67% of the initial value. Therefore, the developed OPV system is suitable as a power source for portable devices.
Highlights
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with a thickness of less than 5 μm are being actively studied as next-generation power sources for mobile applications and biosensors because they are very thin, light, and exhibit very high power-to-weight ratios [1,2,3,4,5,6]
We introduced an amorphous perfluoro-polymer as a substrate material and fabricated an ultrathin polymer substrate via a solution process [16]
To decrease the surface energy of the supporting substrate, we introduced a perfluoro silane-based self-assembly monolayer (SAM), viz. formed using trichloro(perfluorooctyl)silane (FOTS) (98%, Merck), which can delaminate ultra-flexible OPVs from the supporting substrate
Summary
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with a thickness of less than 5 μm are being actively studied as next-generation power sources for mobile applications and biosensors because they are very thin, light, and exhibit very high power-to-weight ratios [1,2,3,4,5,6]. An important factor in fabricating ultra-flexible OPVs is the development of ultra-flexible polymer substrates and the application of suitable transparent electrode materials. Many researchers have applied parylene, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and transparent polyimide (PI) as ultrathin polymer substrate materials in ultra-flexible OPVs [1,2,3,4,5,6]. For PDMS, solution processes such as spin coating are possible, but the solvent resistance such as acid etchant and alkaline developer is weak, making it difficult to withstand the etching process of transparent conductive oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO) [10,11]. A more in-depth research is required to develop an ultra-flexible transparent substrate for OPV that satisfies the conditions as mentioned above
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