Selectively absorbing small-molecule solar cells for self-powered electrochromic windows

Dynamic control of solar transmission by photovoltaic-powered electrochromic smart windows is an up-andcoming approach towards the reduction of energy consumption in buildings. Selectively-absorbing transparent organic solar cells are capable of exhibiting excellent visible-light transparency as well as respectable power conversion efficiencies. This work presents three different transparent small-molecule solar cells (TSCs) with an area of 2.52 cm2, two of which are UV-absorbing and one of which absorbs in the NIR, each in combination with an organic electrochromic device (EC). The NIR-absorbing TSC uses a BDP-OMe:C60 combination, and has a power conversion efficiency of 4% with an average visible light transmission (AVT) of 40%. The two UVharvesting systems, alpha-6T/B4PYMPM and NPB:B4PYMPM, each have an AVT of 50-65%, as well as high opencircuit voltages of 1.5-2.0 V. We demonstrate that these photogenerated voltages are sufficient to power a fluoran dye-based organic EC, which has excellent optical properties: its color ranges from highly transparent to deep black, and its on/off contrast ratio is higher than 80% in the range between 390 nm and 640 nm. Selfpowered smart windows made by the combination of TSCs and ECs provide a way to significantly reduce energy consumption from air conditioning and lighting, towards zero-energy buildings.

Automated summary

This study introduces three different types of transparent small-molecule solar cells combined with organic electrochromic devices, achieving solar energy conversion and light control functions, providing a new pathway towards zero-energy buildings.