Flexible Solar Yarns with 15.7% Power Conversion Efficiency, Based on Electrospun Perovskite Composite Nanofibers

Abstract

A flexible perovskite solar yarn with an impressive active lifetime (>216 h) and an exceptional photon conversion efficiency is prepared under ordinary conditions. The champion device demonstrates an average linear mass density of 0.89 mg cm−1 and can be bent over a loop diameter of 2.5 mm, with a negligible efficiency loss. Photoactive nanofibers composed of a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) central strain and a perovskite phase on the surface (with average grain size of 275 ± 14.3 nm), are prepared by electrospinning, at 18 kV, relative humidity of 75%, and a temperature of 25 °C. This bilayered configuration promises superior mechanical strength and flexibility, together with an excellent photovoltaic character, compared with their dip coated counterparts. Photoactive perovskite nanofibers are incorporated into a plied‐solar yarn, with an organic hole‐conductive layer, poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl)‐coated on silver yarn electrode, and a composite electron conductive layer, phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM)‐SnO2 coated on a carbon yarn. An individual double‐twisted solar yarns yields 15.7% champion power conversion efficiency, while a 30.5 mm × 30.5 mm active area of plain‐woven fabric generates a maximum power density of 1.26 mW cm−2 under one sun (1000 W m−2) solar illumination.

Fiber‐Shaped Electronic Devices

“…Thus, the choice of materials should consider the durability and bendability while maintaining high light harvesting. To date, the most widely studied options for FSSC are organic solar cells (OPVs) [ 44–46 ] dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), [ 47,48,49–55,56–59 ] and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) [ 60–62,63–66 ] ( Table 2 ). The past decades have witnessed a great deal of interest in the fiber‐based PVs based on the latter two material categories.…”

“…The past decades have witnessed a great deal of interest in the fiber‐based PVs based on the latter two material categories. As plotted in Figure 8 , DSSC and perovskite FSSCs correspondingly reached remarkable PCEs of 10.28% [ 59 ] and 15.7%, [ 64 ] respectively, and decent levels of J sc , V oc , and FF, as shown in Figure 8b–d. Apart from photoactive layer, judicious design and selection of contacts, charge transporting layers are required to maintain charge transport and collection.…”

“…Li et al. [ 64 ] formed an unconventional electrospun nanofiber web composed of perovskite and PVP (Figure 11d). The novel hybrid active layer structure exploited the flexible support from the polymer to ensure the uniform and compact growth of perovskite, which prompted the purer and larger domain size at later stages.…”

A Perspective on the Commercial Viability of Perovskite Solar Cells

“…Compared with polymer and thin-film PVs, PSCs offer better PV performance at a much lower cost. [14,207,208] Progress in fPSCs is remarkable, with PCE as high as 18% and now it is approaching 20%. [209][210][211][212][213][214] Modules on plastic substrates, where series-connected cells were fully monolithically patterned by laser ablation, have reached efficiencies in the %10À15% range depending on size and device architecture.…”

The Role of Electrospun Nanomaterials in the Future of Energy and Environment

“…In this study, under various conditions of electrospinning voltage and humidity, it demonstrated to be an effective technique of controlling CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 crystal size, quality, and distribution on poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) nanofibers. The obtained CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 -PVP nanofibers, which were engineered under optimized conditions, showed enhanced properties, promoting excellent photovoltaic results [ 73 ].…”