Direct Integration of Perovskite Solar Cells with Carbon Fiber Substrates.

Game, Onkar S; Thornber, Timothy; Cepero-Mejías, Fernando; Infante-Ortega, Luis C; Togay, Mustafa; Cassella, Elena J; Kilbride, Rachel C; Gordon, Robert H et al. · Adv Mater · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Integrating photovoltaic devices onto the surface of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer substrates should create materials with high mechanical strength that are also able to generate electrical power. Such devices are anticipated to find ready applications as structural, energy-harvesting systems in both the automotive and aeronautical sectors. Here, the fabrication of triple-cation perovskite n-i-p solar cells onto the surface of planarized carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer substrates is demonstrated, with devices utilizing a transparent top ITO contact. These devices also contain a "wrinkled" SiO<sub>2</sub> interlayer placed between the device and substrate that alleviates thermally induced cracking of the bottom ITO layer. Devices are found to have a maximum stabilized power conversion efficiency of 14.5% and a specific power (power per weight) of 21.4 W g<sup>-1</sup> (without encapsulation), making them highly suitable for mobile power applications.