Smart Targeting Layer on Silver Nanowire Electrodes Achieving Efficiency Breakthroughs in ITO‐Free Conventional Flexible Organic Solar Cells

Abstract Silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes, known for their intrinsic flexibility and tunable optoelectronic properties, have garnered considerable attention for use in flexible organic solar cells (OSCs). However, in conventional OSCs, their low work function (WF) causes energy‐level mismatches with classic aqueous hole transport layers (HTLs), while their poor hydrophilicity hinders the formation of optimized HTL morphology and crystallinity, posing challenges to their integration into high‐performance OSCs. To address these issues, functionally targeted molecules with a thiol group at one end and strong electron‐withdrawing, hydrophilic functional groups at the other are precisely engineered to wrap around the AgNW electrodes. The thiol group facilitates the formation of robust self‐assembled molecules (SAMs) on the AgNW electrodes through stable S−Ag chemical bonds at room temperature. The strong electron‐withdrawing groups generate notable molecular and interfacial dipoles that effectively raise the WF of AgNW electrodes. Notably, the hydrophilic groups not only improve electrode wettability but also promote strong hydrogen bonding interactions with HTL, leading to substantial improvements in the morphology and crystallinity of the HTL. This precision wrapping strategy enables the fabrication of high‐efficient conventional flexible OSCs, achieving a record power conversion efficiency of 18.84 % (certified at 18.56 %) for flexible OSCs based on ITO‐free transparent electrodes.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2025-02-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202501270
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Conducting polymers and applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.61
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Smart Targeting Layer on Silver Nanowire Electrodes Achieving Efficiency Breakthroughs in ITO‐Free Conventional Flexible Organic Solar Cells

Xiaoxiao Wu, Changduk Yang, Guang Zeng, Seunglok Lee et al.
1 citations
Angewandte Chemie
Conducting polymers and applications
0.61
article

Smart Targeting Layer on Silver Nanowire Electrodes Achieving Efficiency Breakthroughs in ITO‐Free Conventional Flexible Organic Solar Cells

Xiaoxiao Wu, Changduk Yang, Guang Zeng, Seunglok Lee, Juanyong Wan, Jiacheng Xu, Junyuan Ding, Yaowen Li, Jianlei Cao, Weijie Chen, Yongfang Li, Haiyang Chen, Ben Zhang, Juan Zhu, Leishuo Yang, Jinfeng Xia
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Abstract Silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes, known for their intrinsic flexibility and tunable optoelectronic properties, have garnered considerable attention for use in flexible organic solar cells (OSCs). However, in conventional OSCs, their low work function (WF) causes energy‐level mismatches with classic aqueous hole transport layers (HTLs), while their poor hydrophilicity hinders the formation of optimized HTL morphology and crystallinity, posing challenges to their integration into high‐performance OSCs. To address these issues, functionally targeted molecules with a thiol group at one end and strong electron‐withdrawing, hydrophilic functional groups at the other are precisely engineered to wrap around the AgNW electrodes. The thiol group facilitates the formation of robust self‐assembled molecules (SAMs) on the AgNW electrodes through stable S−Ag chemical bonds at room temperature. The strong electron‐withdrawing groups generate notable molecular and interfacial dipoles that effectively raise the WF of AgNW electrodes. Notably, the hydrophilic groups not only improve electrode wettability but also promote strong hydrogen bonding interactions with HTL, leading to substantial improvements in the morphology and crystallinity of the HTL. This precision wrapping strategy enables the fabrication of high‐efficient conventional flexible OSCs, achieving a record power conversion efficiency of 18.84 % (certified at 18.56 %) for flexible OSCs based on ITO‐free transparent electrodes.

Angewandte ChemieVol. 137(16)
Soochow University (TW), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Soochow University (CN), Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (CN), Institute of Chemistry (CN), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (KR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 40%
Conducting polymers and applications
0.61
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.