In this study, we developed a method for fabricating ultrathin polymer substrates that can be used in ultra-flexible organic photovoltaics (OPVs) via a non-vacuum process using cyclic transparent optical polymer. In addition, a Ag nanowire network layer was used as a transparent electrode in a solution process. All processes were conducted on large area via spin coating. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the ultra-flexible OPV improved by 6.4% compared to the PCE of the ITO/Glass-based OPV. In addition, the PCE of the OPV increased to 10.12% after introducing nanostructures in the ZnO and photoactive layers. We performed 1000 cycles of compression/relaxation tests to evaluate the mechanical properties of the ultra-flexible OPV, after which, the PCE remained at 67% of the initial value. Therefore, the developed OPV system is suitable as a power source for portable devices.
Keywords: Ag nanowires; mechanical property; solution-processed ultrathin substrate; ultra-flexible OPVs.