Recently, a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed an innovative technique for coating nanowires onto flexible graphene sheets. This breakthrough paves the way for creating low-cost, transparent, and flexible solar cells that can be applied to various surfaces, including windows, rooftops, and even curved objects. The new method not only enhances the versatility of solar technology but also opens up exciting possibilities for integrating renewable energy into everyday life.


Graphene sheet nano coating

The study was recently published in the journal Nano Express. The research team included MIT postdoctoral scientists Pu Huixing and Zhang Shenggen, along with associate professor of materials science and engineering Sergey Gretek and seven other researchers from MIT. Their findings mark a significant step forward in the development of next-generation solar technologies.

Currently, most solar cells are made from silicon, which requires extensive purification, crystallization, and slicing into thin wafers—processes that make it relatively expensive. As a result, many scientists are searching for more affordable alternatives. One such option is using nanostructures or hybrid solar cells, where indium tin oxide (ITO) serves as a transparent electrode. However, ITO comes with its own set of challenges, including high material costs due to the presence of indium.

Sergey Gretek, one of the lead researchers, explained, “While ITO is widely used in touchscreens and other electronic devices, it's costly because of the rare element indium. In contrast, graphene is made from carbon, which is abundant and inexpensive.” He added that graphene could potentially replace ITO in future solar cell designs, offering not only cost savings but also superior flexibility, light weight, and mechanical strength.

One of the biggest challenges in using graphene for solar cells is maintaining its electrical properties while integrating semiconductor nanostructures. To overcome this, Gretek and his team used a series of polymer coatings to modify the surface of graphene, enabling it to bond with zinc oxide nanowires. They then covered the structure with a layer of sulfide quantum dots or a polymer like P3HT, which can absorb light efficiently.

“Despite these modifications, the fundamental properties of graphene remain intact,” Gretek noted. “This creates a composite material with great potential for future applications.”

The MIT team found that solar cells based on graphene and ITO perform comparably in terms of efficiency. When using sulfide quantum dots, the power conversion efficiency of graphene-based cells was about 4.2% lower than that of traditional silicon cells. However, the researchers believe that in specialized applications, such as flexible or wearable devices, graphene could become highly competitive.

Zhang Shenggen, another researcher involved in the project, highlighted another advantage of the new design. Unlike conventional semiconductors, which tend to degrade under high temperatures, the graphene-coated zinc oxide nanowire electrodes can maintain stability even at temperatures below 175°C. This makes them particularly suitable for use in harsh environments or under prolonged exposure to sunlight.

This new approach represents a major leap in the field of flexible photovoltaics and brings us one step closer to a future where solar energy can be seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, from smart windows to portable electronics.

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