Samples of new flexible polymer elements were obtained in laboratories of China and Russia.
Photo Credit: Zhi Xing
Scientific Frontline: Extended "At a Glance" Summary: Flexible Organic Solar Panels
The Core Concept: An international research team has developed innovative organic polymer solar cells characterized by high elasticity, mechanical strength, and an energy conversion efficiency of 19.25%.
Key Distinction/Mechanism: Unlike traditional rigid silicon panels, these polymer-based cells utilize an optimized molecular structure and layer combination to remain functional under severe physical strain. They are highly flexible and weigh as little as 0.175 kg per square meter, making them over 50 times lighter than glass-encased silicon counterparts.
Major Frameworks/Components:
- High Efficiency: Achieves a 19.25% energy conversion rate, approaching the efficiency of commercial silicon panels (20–24%).
- Mechanical Durability: Retains 85.3% of its original efficiency after 200 stretching cycles and 80.1% after 7,000 bending cycles.
- Thermal Stability: Maintains operational integrity at elevated temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius.
- Manufacturing Viability: Relies on organic materials with simpler synthesis requirements, allowing for cost-effective mass production via roll-to-roll printing.
Branch of Science: Materials Science, Photovoltaics, Polymer Chemistry.
Future Application: Integration into wearable electronics, smart watch straps, smart clothing, portable energy systems for tourism, and conformal coatings for curved architectural surfaces and vehicles.
Why It Matters: These organic panels provide a lighter, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to silicon, unlocking the ability to generate solar power on irregular, pliable, or weight-restricted surfaces where traditional panels cannot be deployed.
The energy conversion efficiency of these panels is currently one of the best in the world.
A research team from China, Russia, and South Korea has created solar polymer cells using an innovative material with an energy conversion efficiency of 19.25%. This is one of the highest efficiencies recorded for such panels in the world today. The samples are elastic and flexible with high mechanical strength, which allows them to be used as flexible coatings for devices, clothing, and any uneven surfaces. A description of these samples and their properties was published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
"The service life of modern polymer panels is about 3–5 years, which is certainly less than that of silicon panels, which can last up to 25 years. However, polymer panels have their advantages. First, they are more environmentally friendly. Second, they are flexible, which allows them to withstand kinks and strains while remaining effective. In fact, they are being developed for use in wearable electronics and devices," explains Ivan Zhidkov, a co-author of the research and head of the Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials at UrFU.
Among the key advantages of such panels are not only flexibility (they can be rolled up and mounted on curved surfaces) but also lightness. Their weight is up to 0.175 kg/m², which makes them more than fifty times lighter than their glass counterparts. Such panels are ideal for tourism, yachts, and even as solar cells on facades or windows. They can be applied to smartwatch straps, thereby lightening the dial. Currently, however, such panels are not in commercial use anywhere.
"Today, developers around the world are trying to balance technology, polymer combinations, packaging, and other characteristics in order to increase stability on the one hand and efficiency on the other. However, the commercial use of such materials is just around the corner. The essence of our work was to properly adjust the polymer structure and combine layers in order to obtain the necessary properties of flexibility, stability, efficiency, and wear resistance," adds Ivan Zhidkov.
As a result, the scientists have achieved some of the highest global performance metrics for this type of solar panel. The energy conversion efficiency reached 19.25% (silicon panels yield 20%–24%). After 200 stretching cycles, the panels retain 85.3% of their original efficiency, and after 7,000 bending cycles, they retain 80.1%. In addition, the material has excellent thermal stability, allowing the panels to operate at temperatures up to 70 °C.
"Such panels are a great prospect. They are cheaper than silicon ones simply because organic materials are generally cheaper and have a simpler synthesis. This makes the technology easier to treat for defects, and they can be printed on roll-to-roll printers. As a result, they are more technologically advanced than their silicon counterparts," explains Ivan Zhidkov.
Reference: The international research group includes specialists from Guangzhou, South China University of Technology, Gannan Normal University, Korea University, Shenzhen Technology University, Ural Federal University, and ET Solar Energy and Technology Co., Ltd.
Published in journal: Advanced Functional Materials
Authors: Zinuo Luo, Jiayi Deng, Mingqing Chen, Junyi Lu, Henan Li, Qingqing Bai, Jong Bin Park, Guangye Zhang, Junwu Chen, Zhi Xing, Ivan S. Zhidkov, Ernst Z. Kurmaev, Pei Cheng, Han Young Woo, Li Niu, and Huiliang Sun
Source/Credit: Ural Federal University | Anastasia Pyankova
Edited by: Scientific Frontline
Reference Number: ms061726_01
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