Energy scavenging has become a fundamental part of ubiquitous sensor networks. Of all the scavenging technologies, solar has the highest power density available. However, the energy source is erratic. Integrating energy conversion and storage devices is a viable route to obtain self-powered electronic systems which have long-term maintenance-free operation. In this work, we demonstrate an integrated-power-sheet, consisting of a string of series connected organic photovoltaic cells (OPCs) and graphene supercapacitors on a single substrate, using graphene as a common platform. This results in lighter and more flexible power packs. Graphene is used in different forms and qualities for different functions. Chemical vapor deposition grown high quality graphene is used as a transparent conductor, while solution exfoliated graphene pastes are used as supercapacitor electrodes. Solution-based coating techniques are used to deposit the separate components onto a single substrate, making the process compatible with roll-to-roll manufacture. Eight series connected OPCs based on poly(3-hexylthiophene)(P3HT):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC60 BM) bulk-heterojunction cells with aluminum electrodes, resulting in a ≈5 V open-circuit voltage, provide the energy harvesting capability. Supercapacitors based on graphene ink with ≈2.5 mF cm(-2) capacitance provide the energy storage capability. The integrated-power-sheet with photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting and storage functions had a mass of 0.35 g plus the substrate.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smll.201403383 | DOI Listing |
Nat Commun
January 2025
CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Developing active-layer systems with both high performance and mechanical robustness is a crucial step towards achieving future commercialization of flexible and stretchable organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, we design and synthesize a series of acceptors BTA-C6, BTA-E3, BTA-E6, and BTA-E9, featuring the side chains of hexyl, and 3, 6, and 9 carbon-chain with ethyl ester end groups respectively. Benefiting from suitable phase separation and vertical phase distribution, the PM6:BTA-E3-based OSCs processed by o-xylene exhibit lower energy loss and improved charge transport characteristic and achieve a power conversion efficiency of 19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000 Pakistan; Dry Lab (Janjua.XYZ), Physical Chemistry and Computational Modelling (PCCM), Department of Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000 Pakistan. Electronic address:
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have improved greatly in recent years in pursuit for efficient and sustainable energy conversion methods. Specifically, utilizing quantum chemistry approaches such as density functional theory (DFT), the electronic structures, energy levels, and charge transport characteristics of donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) systems based on non-fullerene donor and acceptor molecules have been examined and synthesized. Non-fullerene acceptors offer several advantages over traditional fullerene-based materials, such as enhanced light absorption, modifiable energy levels, and reduced recombination losses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Energy Mater
January 2025
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118-5636, United States.
Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) such as MoS and WSe are excellent candidates for photovoltaic (PV) applications. Here, we present the modeling, fabrication, and characterization of large-area CVD-grown MoS-based flexible PV on an off-the-shelf, 3 μm-thick flexible colorless polyimide with polyimide encapsulation designed for space structures. The devices are characterized under 1 sun AM0 illumination and show a of 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMXenes, a rapidly emerging class of 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have attracted significant attention for their outstanding properties, including high electrical conductivity, tunable work function, and solution processability. These characteristics have made MXenes highly versatile and widely adopted in the next generation of optoelectronic devices, such as perovskite and organic solar cells. However, their integration into silicon-based optoelectronic devices remains relatively underexplored, despite silicon's dominance in the semiconductor industry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Electrical Engineering, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar.
Effective energy management is crucial in greenhouse farming to ensure efficient operations and optimal crop growth. This study investigates the energy autonomy-defined as the ratio of on-site energy generation to the total energy demand-of greenhouses equipped with semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) systems under two scenarios: with and without a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). STPV systems are beneficial because they generate energy while still allowing enough light to pass through for healthy plant development.
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