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Updated: Aug 8, 2025
Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites
Published on: February 6, 2016
Wearable perovskite solar cells by aligned liquid crystal elastomers
Zengqi Huang1,2, Lin Li3, Tingqing Wu1,4
1Key Laboratory of Green Printing, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS), Beijing Engineering Research Center of Nanomaterials for Green Printing Technology, Beijing National Laboratory of Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
A novel liquid crystal elastomer interlayer enhances flexible perovskite solar cell performance by reducing defects and improving stability. This boosts efficiency to over 22% and maintains performance after extensive bending and aging.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Device Physics
Background:
- The interface between perovskite and electron-transporting layers is crucial for flexible solar cell efficiency and stability.
- High defect concentrations and film fracturing at this interface limit device performance and operational lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an interlayer that improves the efficiency and reliability of flexible perovskite solar cells.
- To investigate the role of molecular ordering and mechanical robustness in enhancing device performance.
Main Methods:
- Intercalation of a liquid crystal elastomer interlayer into flexible perovskite solar cells.
- Photopolymerization of liquid crystalline monomers and oligomers to lock molecular ordering.
- Characterization of interfacial properties, charge transport, recombination, and device stability under mechanical stress and aging.
Main Results:
- Achieved power conversion efficiencies of 23.26% for rigid and 22.10% for flexible devices.
- Demonstrated enhanced operational stability, retaining over 80% efficiency for 1570 hours without encapsulation.
- Showcased remarkable mechanical robustness, retaining 86% efficiency after 5000 bending cycles.
Conclusions:
- The liquid crystal elastomer interlayer effectively passivates interfacial defects and suppresses phase segregation.
- The aligned mesogenic assembly enhances charge collection and reduces recombination, leading to high efficiency and stability.
- The developed flexible solar cells show potential for integration into wearable electronic devices, such as virtual reality systems.
