Continuous 1D-Metallic Microfibers Web for Flexible Organic Solar Cells

We report the use of a continuous 1D-metallic microfibers web (MFW) as transparent electrode for organic solar cells (OSCs). The MFW electrode can be produced with a process that involves simple electrospinning and wet etching of metal thin film. Au MFW exhibits a maximum optical transmittance of 90.8% (at 15 Ω/sq of the sheet resistance) and excellent mechanical flexibility. The MFW structure has an average width in the range from 4 to 6 μm and a junction-free structure, resulting in very smooth surface roughness. The OSCs with Au MFW electrode exhibited a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.50% than the device with an indium tin oxide electrode (PCE = 3.20%). The optical modeling calculation showed that the Au MFW electrode induced light scattering and improved the light absorption in the active layer, resulting in an improved PCE in the OSCs.