Highly Efficient Flexible Polymer Solar Cells with Robust Mechanical Stability

Landmark power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 14% has been accomplished for single-junction polymer solar cells (PSCs). However, the inevitable fracture of inorganic transporting layers and deficient interlayer adhesion are critical challenges to achieving the goal of flexible PSCs. Here, a bendable and thickness-insensitive Al-doped ZnO (AZO) modified by polydopamine (PDA) has emerged as a promising electron transporting layer (ETL) in PSCs. It has special ductility and adhesion to the active layer for improving the mechanical durability of the device. Nonfullerenes PSCs based on PBDB-T-2F:IT-4F with AZO:1.5% PDA (80 nm) ETL yield the best PCE of 12.7%. More importantly, a prominent PCE, approaching 11.5%, is reached for the fully flexible device based on Ag-mesh flexible electrode, and the device retains >91% of its initial PCE after bending for 1500 cycles. Such thickness insensitivity, mechanical durability, and interfacial adhesion properties for the inorganic ETLs are desired for the development of flexible and wearable PSCs with reliable photovoltaic performance and large-area roll-to-roll printing manufacture.