Highly-flexible, low-cost, all stainless steel mesh-based dye-sensitized solar cells

Highly-flexible, ITO-free dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated in a simple, all-solution-based, facile, and controllable way. A double mesh structure is applied to DSSCs, and the design principles, especially scale parameters, are analyzed delicately to ensure the power conversion efficiency and mechanical flexibility of the device. The good flexibility of mesh-based DSSCs is verified by systematic bending tests compared to conventional flexible DSSCs based on PET/ITO or metal foil substrates. Commercial carbon ink is used as a counter electrode material, and it is proved to be low-cost and efficient. The double mesh structure design provides an attractive strategy toward the development of flexible and wearable electrochemical energy supplies.Highly-flexible, ITO-free dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated in a simple, all-solution-based, facile, and controllable way. A double mesh structure is applied to DSSCs, and the design principles, especially scale parameters, are analyzed delicately to ensure the power conversion efficiency and mechanical flexibility of the device. The good flexibility of mesh-based DSSCs is verified by systematic bending tests compared to conventional flexible DSSCs based on PET/ITO or metal foil substrates. Commercial carbon ink is used as a counter electrode material, and it is proved to be low-cost and efficient. The double mesh structure design provides an attractive strategy toward the development of flexible and wearable electrochemical energy supplies.

Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr03999h