Color and transparency-switchable semitransparent polymer solar cells towards smart windows

Semitransparent polymer solar cells (ST-PSCs) have attracted worldwide attention owing to unique superiority in multiple utilization of incident light. However, the color of ST-PSCs is relatively uniform after fabrication, cannot be dynamically tuned in terms of application requirement. Herein, we demonstrate a high-efficiency ST-PSCs as a smart window, which can be reversibly switched on and off by a gasochromic tungsten trioxide/platinum (WO3/Pt) back reflector layer. The ST-PSCs can be switchable between colored and bleached states with fast response speed of sub-second during hydrogen exposure. Meanwhile, the color and transparency-switching enable light trapping enhancement in long wavelength range, which can systematically improve power conversion efficiency (PCE). As a result, the ST-PSCs contribute a PCE of 10.2% and 9.1% as well as corresponding average visible transmission (AVT) of 25.4% and 33.8% at colored state and bleached state, respectively, which can meet the visual aesthetics requirement well in building integrated photovoltaics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example for ST-PSCs that achieve both color-switching and light trapping. Furthermore, the smart windows facing to automobile sunroof are proposed to prove a practical application towards commercialization. We believe that smart windows with gasochromic functions can promise potential opportunities and directions for the future development of ST-PSCs. (C) 2019 Science China Press. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science China Press. All rights reserved.