An all-weather solar cell that can harvest energy from sunlight and rain. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Qunwei; Zhang, Hongna; He, Benlin; Yang, Peizhi
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 30(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 818
• Page End: 824
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: All-weather solar cell -- Conducting composite -- Charge transfer -- Energy conversion; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2016.09.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Future solar cells may produce electricity in all weathers. We present here a cost-effective and high-efficiency graphene based conducting composite tailored all-weather solar cell that can be actuated with raindrops and sunlight. Due to the formation of π-electron|cation double-layer pseudocapacitance at conducting composite/raindrop interface, the delocalized π-electrons on graphene can migrate along percolating pathways forward at spreading process and backward at shrinking periods, resulting in charging and discharging of the pseudocapacitor. The optimized solar cell yields a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 9.8% under simulated sunlight irradiation (air mass 1.5, 100 mW cm −2 ) as well as current over several microamps and voltage of hundreds of microvolts under simulated raindrops. This work could extend our knowledge of future all-weather solar cells. Graphical abstract: An all-weather solar cell is fabricated by integrating a graphene tailored conducting composite with a solar cell, yielding photoelectric conversion efficiency on sunny days and electric signals on rainy days. Highlights: An all-weather solar cell is created for harvesting energy from sun and rain. G-CB/PTFE conducting composite is utilized to replace graphene film. The G-CB/PTFE film has percolating pathways for creating EDL pseudocapacitor. The launched solar cell extend our knowledge of future all-weather solar cell.