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Continuous 1D-Metallic Microfibers Web for Flexible Organic Solar Cells
Kihyon Hong1, Juyoung Ham2, Byoung-Joon Kim1
1Surface Technology Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) , Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do 641-831, Republic of Korea.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 19, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed a novel metallic microfiber web (MFW) electrode for organic solar cells (OSCs). This MFW electrode enhances power conversion efficiency (PCE) and offers superior flexibility compared to traditional indium tin oxide electrodes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Transparent conductive electrodes are crucial for organic solar cells (OSCs).
- Indium tin oxide (ITO) is a common transparent electrode material but suffers from brittleness and high cost.
- Developing flexible, efficient, and cost-effective alternatives to ITO is essential for advancing OSC technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of a continuous 1D-metallic microfibers web (MFW) as a transparent electrode for OSCs.
- To evaluate the performance of MFW electrodes in terms of optical transmittance, mechanical flexibility, and power conversion efficiency (PCE).
- To understand the optical effects of MFW electrodes on light absorption in OSCs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of metallic microfibers web (MFW) using electrospinning and wet etching.
- Characterization of MFW electrodes for optical transmittance, sheet resistance, and surface roughness.
- Fabrication and testing of OSC devices utilizing MFW electrodes and comparing them with indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes.
- Optical modeling to analyze light scattering and absorption enhancement by the MFW electrode.
Main Results:
- The gold (Au) MFW electrode achieved a maximum optical transmittance of 90.8% at a sheet resistance of 15 Ω/sq.
- MFW electrodes demonstrated excellent mechanical flexibility and a smooth surface roughness due to their junction-free structure.
- OSCs incorporating Au MFW electrodes exhibited a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.50% compared to OSCs with ITO electrodes (PCE = 3.20%).
Conclusions:
- Continuous 1D-metallic microfibers web (MFW) is a viable and effective transparent electrode material for organic solar cells (OSCs).
- The MFW electrode offers advantages in terms of optical transmittance, mechanical flexibility, and improved device efficiency.
- The enhanced PCE in OSCs with MFW electrodes is attributed to improved light absorption facilitated by light scattering effects.
