Nanomaterials for Flexible Photovoltaic Fabrics

 The development of extremely flexible photovoltaic (PV) devices for energy harvesting and storage applications is currently receiving more attention by the researchers from industries. The presently available energy storage devices are too rigid and extensive and also not suitable for next-generation flexible electronics such as silicon-based solar cells. Thus, the researchers have developed high-performance, lightweight, conformable, bendable, thin, and flexible dependable devices. On the other hand, these energy storage devices require to be functional under different mechanical deformations, for example, bending, twisting, and even stretching. The nanomaterial (TiO2, ZnO, Ag, etc.) coated fabrics also play a vital role in improving the efficiency of the solar cell (devices) to a great extent. The current chapter provides information about the development of nanomaterials-based flexible photovoltaic solar cell devices for wearable textile industry applications. The fabricated carbon ink printed fabrics such as polyester, cotton woven and nonwoven, and polyethylene terephthalate nonwoven can be used as cathode and heating sources of PV devices. The organic and flexible conductive substrate printed with carbon ink can be utilized as heating source fabrics for wearable electronics devices. The flexible substrate-based photovoltaics (PV) device is mostly used in the textile industries due to its flexibility, environmental friendliness, low cost as well as easy processability. The flexible-wearable photovoltaic devices pave the way to be used for enormous applications in various fields.

Keywords: Energy storage and harvesting, Efficiency, Flexible photovoltaic fabrics, Flexible electronics, High-performance, Lightweight, Low cost, Nanomaterials, Photovoltaic fibers, Photovoltaic fiber, Solar cell, Wearable textile industry applications.