Semi-transparent polymer solar cells with all-copper nanowire electrodes

Transparent electrodes based on copper nanowires (Cu NWs) have attracted significant attention owing to their advantages including high optical transmittance, good conductivity, and excellent mechanical flexibility. However, low-cost, high-performance, and environmental friendly solar cells with all-Cu NW electrodes have not been realized until now. Herein, top and bottom transparent electrodes based on Cu NWs with low surface roughness and homogeneous conductivity are fabricated. Then, semi-transparent polymer solar cells (PSCs) with the inverted structure of polyacrylate/Cu NWs/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) (PH1000)/Y-TiO2/poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C-61-butyric acid 3,4,5-tris(octyloxy) benzyl/PEDOT:PSS (4083)/Cu NWs/polyimide/polydimethylsiloxane are constructed; these could absorb light from both sides with a power conversion efficiency reaching 1.97% and 1.85%. Furthermore, the PSCs show an average transmittance of 42% in the visible region, which renders them suitable for some specialized applications such as power-generating windows and building-integrated photovoltaics. The indium tin oxide (ITO)- and noble metal-free PSCs could pave new pathways for fabricating cost-effective semi-transparent PSCs.