A stable, efficient textile-based flexible perovskite solar cell with improved washable and deployable capabilities for wearable device applications

Abstract

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PVSC) have appeared as promising high power-per-weight power systems for wearable electronic devices. Herein, we utilized a low-temperature electrodeposited tin oxide (SnO₂) electron-transporting layer (ETL) coupled with a thin PCBM ETL and a functional encapsulating layer to realize an efficient, stable textile-based flexible PVSC. We first demonstrated that an easily accessible elastomer can serve as an effective encapsulating material for the fabricated flexible PVSC, as exemplified by the largely improved ambient stability and waterproof properties. Furthermore, we established that the good adhesive properties generated by the elastomer can largely enrich the deployable capability of the completed device stack as evidenced by the effortless integration of a completed device stack onto a textile. As a result, a ∼15% textile-based flexible PVSC with improved ambient stability and washable capability was demonstrated. A proof-of-concept device was successfully integrated with other electronic devices on a unitary textile to serve as an efficient power supply system for wearable electronic devices. The findings revealed in this work can promote the future potential applications of PVSCs in wearable device applications.