journal article·2025-07Open access

Foldable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Region‐Dependent Microscopic and Macroscopic Strain Relaxation

Biao Zhou, Xiang Wu, Zhengyan Jiang, Jinwook Kim, Zhaojin Wang, Jiayun Sun, Ming Guan, Kai Wang, Xiaochun Liu, Wallace C.H. Choy

Advanced Energy Materials· Volume 15· Issue 26

Abstract

Abstract While foldable solar cells can advance the applications from emerging electronics like self‐powered wearable optoelectronic devices, the poor mechanical durability of perovskite films due to the severe intrinsic strain, and the brittle nature of the flexible ITO electrode hinder foldable perovskite solar cells (F‐PSCs) realization. Here, the strategy of region‐dependent microscopic and macroscopic strain suppression is demonstrated to achieve efficient F‐PSCs on silver nanowires (AgNWs) electrodes. Fundamentally, by introducing the region‐dependent modification approach of functionalized polymer incorporation, the significant release of microscopic strain in perovskite film is demonstrated by effectively suppressing defects at places with crystallization orientation variation of perovskite surface/grain boundaries. Equally important, the gradient macroscopic strain is simultaneously eliminated by inhibiting the FA + (formamidinum) gradient distribution in perovskite film's depth direction. The two‐strain relaxations greatly enhance the mechanical durability of perovskite film, while also improving phase stability and suppressing ion migration. Finally, efficient F‐PSCs (23% PCE, the highest value among reported F‐PSCs) is realized with remarkable foldability, with efficiency maintaining 94% of its initial value even after 2000 times multidirectional folding at 0.75 mm curvature radius, which far exceeds the mechanical durability of typical ITO‐based flexible PSCs. This work aids in comprehending strain modulation role for F‐PSCs realization.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Perovskite Materials and Applications · Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties · Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Road Hong Kong SAR 000 P. R. China

Institute of Metals College of Material Science and Engineering Changsha University of Science and Technology Changsha Hunan 410004 P. R. China

Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering Southern University of Science and Technology 1088 Xueyuan Avenue Shenzhen 518055 P. R. China

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Road Hong Kong SAR 000 P. R. China

Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES) The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation Shenzhen 518055 P. R. China

Funding

Innovation and Technology Commission - Hong Kong

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