Solution‐Processed Silver Nanowire as Flexible Transparent Electrodes in Organic Solar Cells

Abstract

Silver | Nanostructures | Conducting materials | Electrode | Organic solar cellsOrganic solar cells (OSCs) have attracted much attention due to their advantages in fabricating flexible and semi-transparent devices. Especially, the light weight, flexibility and spectral adjustability make OSCs superior to silicon, perovskite and other thin film based solar cells in applications of integrated photovoltaic devices and wearable electronics. In flexible and semi-transparent OSCs, transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) play a key role in obtaining high performances. Among various TCEs, silver nanowire (AgNW) has become a promising candidate due to its low sheet resistance, high optical transparency, excellent mechanical flexibility and solution processability. In this article, we review the recent advances in AgNW-based TCEs and their applications in the field of OSCs. Firstly, we introduce the general properties of AgNW, including optoelectronic and mechanical characteristics. Secondly, the preparation methods of AgNW are discussed, along with some approaches on the optimization of AgNW to overcome the shortcomings of TCEs. Thirdly, we discuss the applications of AgNW as TCEs in fabricating flexible and semi-transparent OSCs, including the use of AgNW as bottom and top electrodes. Finally, we point out the challenges in AgNW-based TCEs and suggest several guidelines for preparing AgNW so as to meet the demands for the practical use of OSCs.

Facile fabrication of large-scale silver nanowire transparent conductive films by screen printing

“…Nevertheless, some defects restrict the commercial application of AgNW TCFs, including difficulty in largescale production, personalized pattern and precision printing [25,26]. Currently, ultrasonic spray coating [27][28][29][30], spin coating [21], slot coating [31][32][33] and screen printing [7,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] have been used for the large-scale production of high-quality TCFs. Wherein, ultrasonic spraying as an efficient method to produce large-sized TCFs, while it has to face with defects such as high surface roughness and poor uniformity.…”

A Review on the Materials Science and Device Physics of Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics

“…Transparent conductive back electrodes, based on solution-processed metal nanowires [77,78], transferred doped graphene [4,79], conducting polymers [80], or their hybrids [81][82][83][84][85][86] are currently promising in the field of organic semitransparent photovoltaics, offering mild processing conditions that are compatible with the organic active layer materials. These electrodes exhibit very high transmittance within a wide spectral range and suitably low sheet resistance [87][88][89].…”

A 1D:2D structured AgNW:MXene composite transparent electrode with high mechanical robustness for flexible photovoltaics

“…The commercial application of AgNW FTEs requires overcoming the following challenges: (1) high roughness; (2) low adhesion with the substrate; (3) susceptiblity to oxidation; and (4) high wire-wire junction resistance. 45,46 To date, various methods have been explored to resolve the above issues, including thermal annealing, embedding AgNWs into flexible substrates, and chemical welding. [47][48][49][50] Additionally, metal oxide nanoparticles such as fluorine-doped zinc oxide (FZO) or Al-doped ZnO (AZO) have been investigated to modify the conductivity and surface roughness of AgNW networks.…”

“…The commercial application of AgNW FTEs requires overcoming the following challenges: (1) high roughness; (2) low adhesion with the substrate; (3) susceptiblity to oxidation; and (4) high wire–wire junction resistance. 45,46…”