Abstract Recently, a team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has introduced an innovative technique for applying nanowires onto flexible graphene sheets. This breakthrough enables the production of low-cost, transparent, and bendable solar cells that can be integrated into various surfaces such as windows, roofs, and even curved objects. The technology opens up new possibilities for energy generation in everyday environments.
The study was recently published in the journal *Nano Express*, with key contributors including MIT postdoctoral researchers Park Hye-Sing and Zhang Shenggen (transliterated), along with associate professor of materials science and engineering, Servijie Gretke, and other researchers from the institute.
Traditional solar cells are mostly made from silicon, which requires extensive purification, crystallization, and slicing—making them costly. To address this, many scientists are exploring alternatives like nanostructures or hybrid solar cells. One common component in these next-generation devices is indium tin oxide (ITO), a transparent electrode material widely used in touchscreens and displays.
“While ITO is currently the go-to material for transparent electrodes, it contains indium, which is expensive and rare. In contrast, graphene is composed of carbon, a much more abundant and affordable element,†explained Gretke.
According to Gretke, graphene could serve as a promising replacement for ITO due to its lower cost and additional benefits, such as flexibility, light weight, strong mechanical properties, and chemical stability.
However, integrating semiconductor nanostructures directly onto pure graphene without compromising its electrical and structural integrity remains a significant challenge. To overcome this, Gretke and his team used polymer coatings to modify the graphene’s surface, allowing it to bond with a layer of zinc oxide nanowires. They then applied a layer of sulfide quantum dots to capture light, as well as a polymer known as P3HT, which helps in charge transport.
“Although there are some changes in the inherent properties of graphene, the resulting composite material offers substantial advantages,†said the researcher.
The MIT team confirmed that graphene-based electrodes perform similarly to those made from ITO in terms of efficiency. While the power conversion efficiency of the graphene-based system is 4.2% lower than that of conventional silicon cells, it shows great potential for specialized applications in the future.
Zhang Shenggen, the first author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, noted that unlike other semiconductors that require high-temperature processing, the zinc oxide-coated graphene electrode can operate effectively at temperatures below 175°C, making it more compatible with flexible and lightweight designs.
The study was recently published in the journal *Nano Express*, with key contributors including MIT postdoctoral researchers Park Hye-Sing and Zhang Shenggen (transliterated), along with associate professor of materials science and engineering, Servijie Gretke, and other researchers from the institute.
Traditional solar cells are mostly made from silicon, which requires extensive purification, crystallization, and slicing—making them costly. To address this, many scientists are exploring alternatives like nanostructures or hybrid solar cells. One common component in these next-generation devices is indium tin oxide (ITO), a transparent electrode material widely used in touchscreens and displays.
“While ITO is currently the go-to material for transparent electrodes, it contains indium, which is expensive and rare. In contrast, graphene is composed of carbon, a much more abundant and affordable element,†explained Gretke.
According to Gretke, graphene could serve as a promising replacement for ITO due to its lower cost and additional benefits, such as flexibility, light weight, strong mechanical properties, and chemical stability.
However, integrating semiconductor nanostructures directly onto pure graphene without compromising its electrical and structural integrity remains a significant challenge. To overcome this, Gretke and his team used polymer coatings to modify the graphene’s surface, allowing it to bond with a layer of zinc oxide nanowires. They then applied a layer of sulfide quantum dots to capture light, as well as a polymer known as P3HT, which helps in charge transport.
“Although there are some changes in the inherent properties of graphene, the resulting composite material offers substantial advantages,†said the researcher.
The MIT team confirmed that graphene-based electrodes perform similarly to those made from ITO in terms of efficiency. While the power conversion efficiency of the graphene-based system is 4.2% lower than that of conventional silicon cells, it shows great potential for specialized applications in the future.
Zhang Shenggen, the first author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, noted that unlike other semiconductors that require high-temperature processing, the zinc oxide-coated graphene electrode can operate effectively at temperatures below 175°C, making it more compatible with flexible and lightweight designs.
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