Achieving sustainability of greenhouses by integrating stable semi-transparent organic photovoltaics

Yepin Zhao, Zongqi Li, Caner Deger, Minhuan Wang (), Miroslav Peric, Yanfeng Yin, Dong Meng, Wenxin Yang, Xinyao Wang, Qiyu Xing, Bin Chang, Elizabeth G. Scott, Yifan Zhou, Elizabeth Zhang, Ran Zheng, Jiming Bian, Yantao Shi, Ilhan Yavuz (), Kung-Hwa Wei, K. N. Houk and Yang Yang ()
Additional contact information
Yepin Zhao: University of California Los Angeles
Zongqi Li: University of California Los Angeles
Caner Deger: Marmara University
Minhuan Wang: Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion, and Electron Beams (Ministry of Education), School of Physics, Dalian University of Technology
Miroslav Peric: California State University at Northridge
Yanfeng Yin: Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion, and Electron Beams (Ministry of Education), School of Physics, Dalian University of Technology
Dong Meng: University of California Los Angeles
Wenxin Yang: University of California Los Angeles
Xinyao Wang: University of California Los Angeles
Qiyu Xing: University of California Los Angeles
Bin Chang: University of California Los Angeles
Elizabeth G. Scott: University of California Los Angeles
Yifan Zhou: University of California Los Angeles
Elizabeth Zhang: University of California Los Angeles
Ran Zheng: University of California Los Angeles
Jiming Bian: Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion, and Electron Beams (Ministry of Education), School of Physics, Dalian University of Technology
Yantao Shi: School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology
Ilhan Yavuz: Marmara University
Kung-Hwa Wei: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
K. N. Houk: University of California Los Angeles
Yang Yang: University of California Los Angeles

Nature Sustainability, 2023, vol. 6, issue 5, 539-548

Abstract: Abstract Semi-transparent organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are an emerging solar-energy-harvesting technology with promising applications, such as rooftop energy supplies for environmentally friendly greenhouses. However, the poor operational stability of OPVs poses challenges to their feasibility as incessantly serving facilities. Here we report a reductive interlayer structure for semi-transparent OPVs that improves the operational stability of OPVs under continuous solar radiation. The interlayer effectively suppresses the generation of radicals from the electron transport layer under sunlight and prevents the structural decomposition of the organic photoactive layer during operation. The defects that serve as the charge carrier recombination sites are nullified by the electron-donating functional groups of the reduced molecules, which improves photovoltaic performance. The semi-transparent OPVs demonstrate a power conversion efficiency of 13.5% and an average visible transmittance of 21.5%, with remarkable operational stability (84.8% retention after 1,008 h) under continuous illumination. Greenhouse results show that the semi-transparent OPV roof benefits the survival rate and growth of the crops, indicating the importance of our approach in addressing food and energy challenges.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01071-2

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