Publication date: 22nd July 2026
The application of textured interfaces in photovoltaic devices has been a common strategy to enhance light harvesting in solar cells over the years. However, more recently, researchers have realized that, on the side, these textures can contribute to other unexpected advantages in new generation photovoltaic materials [1]. Given the potential enhancement of the wetting properties [2], crystallinity [3], charge extraction [4] and stress redistribution [5], together with the conventional optical effect, textured substrates seem ideal for the fabrication of solution processed flexible perovskite solar cells. Therefore, the implementation of textures in the appropriate flexible materials as a bottom-up strategy that individually benefits several aspects of the perovskite device can lead to an efficient, stable and resistant flexible solar cell.
In this regard, textures were implemented by two different methods on two substrate materials: hot-embossing was employed to texture ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) while nano-imprint was applied to ultrathin polyimide (PI) before final imidization. Microscopic and stress analysis of the ITO layer revealed that textures are able to reduce crack population and propagation after bending, mitigating the degradation of the electrode performance. In ultrathin substrates, textures can help to reduce the residual stress which may impact on their reliability after delamination. Moreover, the wetting properties of textured substrates were enhanced, promoting the formation of a continuous perovskite layer. Optical performance is enhanced more than 1 mA/cm2 on average compared to the planar substrates and, overall, the flexible devices provided power conversion efficiencies >25%. Finally, recent experiments have shown superior resistance of the substrate materials to proton and electron radiation compared to other common flexible materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Particularly, PI showed no degradation upon 1015 and 1013 of electrons and protons irradiation, respectively. These results establish them as potential candidates compatible with space environment, bringing the application of such high efficient flexible solar cells even further.
The authors thank for funding from the Helmholtz Association within the HySPRINT Innovation lab project, and the project “Zeitenwende–Zukunftstechnologie Tandem–Solarzellen”. The authors further thank for funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) within the European project JUMP INTO-SPACE (grant agreement No 101162377)
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