Visibly Transparent Polymer Solar Cells Produced by Solution Processing

Abstract

Visibly transparent photovoltaic devices can open photovoltaic applications in many areas, such as building-integrated photovoltaics or integrated photovoltaic chargers for portable electronics. We demonstrate high-performance, visibly transparent polymer solar cells fabricated via solution processing. The photoactive layer of these visibly transparent polymer solar cells harvests solar energy from the near-infrared region while being less sensitive to visible photons. The top transparent electrode employs a highly transparent silver nanowire-metal oxide composite conducting film, which is coated through mild solution processes. With this combination, we have achieved 4% power-conversion efficiency for solution-processed and visibly transparent polymer solar cells. The optimized devices have a maximum transparency of 66% at 550 nm.

Semi-transparent polymer solar cells

“…In Ref. 79, the authors used the as absorber film a blend of PBDTT-DPP and PCBM. PBDTT-DPP is a low-band gap polymer with a strong photosensitivity in the 650 to 850 nm wavelength range, while the absorption of PCBM is located below 400 nm.…”

“…First, we will consider what is, perhaps, the most straightforward approach consisting of further decreasing the polymer band gap to obtain a larger transparency in the visible spectrum. [79][80][81] One of the most relevant features of this approach is that it provides a very nice colorless high level of transparency. On the other hand, the limited harvesting at all wavelengths resulting from the low reflectivity of the top electrode can be partially compensated with the incorporation of an additional absorber layer in a tandem configuration.…”

Transparent Photovoltaic Device using Two-dimensional Transition-metal Dichalcogenides

“…특히 투명성을 갖는 태양전지의 경우 건물 외관에 부착되거나 발광 소자에 부착되어 버려지는 광 에너지를 이용하여 전력을 발생시키는 energy harvesting device로 응용 될 수 있는 가능성이 있 어서 산화물 반도체 [5]나 고분자 반도체 소재 [6], 또 는 nano-wire [7]등을 이용하여 투명 태양전지를 제 작하는 연구가 진행되었다. 하지만, photon을 흡수 하여 electron-hole pair를 형성시켜 기전력을 발생 시키는 태양전지의 기본 원리 때문에 투명한 태양 전지는 가시광 영역의 빛을 발전에 사용하기가 어 려워 대부분의 연구 결과는 자외선이나 적외선 영 역에서 동작하는 태양전지를 제작하는데 집중되었 다.…”

Observation of convection phenomenon by high-performance transparent heater based on Pt-decorated Ni micromesh

“…In recent years, transparent electronics have been studied to develop and commercialize optoelectronic appliances, such as transparent sensors, 1-3 solar cells, 4,5 displays, 6,7 and speakers. 8,9 For application in transparent and flexible electronic devices, necessary components such as electrodes, resistors, and memories should be both transparent and flexible with excellent electrical and mechanical properties.…”