Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • PTN-POM anode interlayer achieves a PCE of 19.59% in binary OSCs, the highest for cross-linked AILs, demonstrating superior photovoltaic performance. • • PTN-POM films exhibit electrical conductivity of 3.30×10−3 S/m and high stretchability, outperforming PEDOT:PSS in mechanical strength, enabling robust flexible devices. • • Water-proof OSCs with PTN-POM show no performance degradation after 42 days underwater, indicating exceptional environmental stability for wearable applications. • • Stretchable OSCs with PTN-POM retain 81% of initial PCE under 50% tensile strain, proving mechanical robustness critical for wearable integration.
Abstract
Organic solar cells (OSCs) offer unique advantages for wearable electronics due to their light weight and mechanical flexibility. However, achieving both high optoelectronic performance and mechanical robustness in organic semiconductors remains challenging, compromising the efficiency and durability of stretchable OSCs. Here, we report a cross-linked conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE)-polyoxometalate (POM) anode interlayer (AIL), PTN-POM, constructed via strong electrostatic interactions between ammonium groups and POM. The PTN-POM film exhibits an electrical conductivity of 3.30×10−3 S/m and high stretchability, significantly outperforming the classic PEDOT:PSS AIL in mechanical strength. Binary OSCs modified with PTN-POM achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.59%, the highest reported for OSCs using a cross-linked AIL. Notably, PTN-POM enables fabrication of water-proof OSCs that show no performance degradation after underwater storage for 42 days. Furthermore, stretchable OSCs incorporating PTN-POM demonstrate enhanced mechanical robustness, retaining 81% of initial PCE under a large tensile strain of 50%. This work significantly enhances the photovoltaic, waterproof, and mechanical properties of OSCs, advancing their potential for wearable photovoltaics.
1. Introduction
Wearable electronic technologies demand portable power sources that can withstand mechanical deformation and environmental stress. Organic solar cells (OSCs) offer a promising solution due to their light weight and flexibility, but their practical application is hindered by poor durability under mechanical strain and environmental erosion. State-of-the-art OSCs have achieved high power conversion efficiencies, yet their mechanical and chemical robustness remains insufficient for wearable integration. The anode interlayer (AIL) is a critical component that influences both performance and stability, but conventional materials like PEDOT:PSS suffer from brittleness and hygroscopicity, leading to degradation under stress and moisture.
To address these bottlenecks, we developed a cross-linked conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) and polyoxometalate (POM) hybrid AIL, PTN-POM, leveraging strong electrostatic interactions. This design imparts high electrical conductivity and stretchability, while also providing water resistance. The PTN-POM AIL not only enhances the photovoltaic performance of OSCs to a record 19.59% PCE for cross-linked AILs but also enables water-proof devices that retain performance after prolonged underwater exposure. Furthermore, stretchable OSCs incorporating PTN-POM demonstrate excellent mechanical robustness, retaining 81% of initial PCE under 50% tensile strain. This work provides a robust interlayer strategy to overcome the trade-off between efficiency and durability, advancing the viability of OSCs for wearable electronics.
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
Heng Liu, Sijie Gong, Dexia Han, Long Ye, Yao Tong, Qingyang Li, Yuanjian Tong, Xuchao Wang, Bowei Xu (2026). Highly Robust Anode Interlayer for Water-Proof and Stretchable Organic Solar Cells. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-4060-5
Research & Educational Purpose Only: The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoGreenTechare intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoGreenTech claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the failure mechanism of PTN-POM under repeated mechanical stress, and how does it compare to PEDOT:PSS in terms of crack onset strain?
PTN-POM films exhibit high stretchability, significantly outperforming PEDOT:PSS in mechanical strength. While specific crack onset strain data is not provided, the retention of 81% PCE under 50% tensile strain indicates that PTN-POM can withstand substantial deformation without catastrophic failure, likely due to the cross-linked network that distributes stress and prevents crack propagation.
How does the electrical conductivity of PTN-POM (3.30×10−3 S/m) impact series resistance and fill factor in the OSCs?
The electrical conductivity of PTN-POM is sufficient to minimize series resistance losses, contributing to the high fill factor and overall PCE of 19.59%. This conductivity is comparable to or better than typical organic interlayers, ensuring efficient charge extraction without significant ohmic losses.
What is the cost and scalability of synthesizing PTN-POM compared to PEDOT:PSS, and are the raw materials commercially available?
The synthesis involves conjugated polyelectrolytes and polyoxometalates, which are typically solution-processable and can be scaled using standard roll-to-roll techniques. While cost data is not provided, the use of common organic and inorganic precursors suggests potential for cost-competitive production. Further economic analysis is required to confirm parity with PEDOT:PSS.
How does the water-proof property of PTN-POM-based OSCs (no degradation after 42 days underwater) translate to real-world humidity and rain exposure?
The underwater storage test is an accelerated condition that simulates extreme moisture exposure. The absence of performance degradation after 42 days indicates excellent water resistance, which would provide robust protection against humidity and rain in wearable applications, significantly extending device lifetime compared to conventional OSCs that degrade rapidly in moist environments.
What is the long-term operational stability of PTN-POM-based OSCs under continuous illumination and mechanical cycling?
The study focuses on storage stability and mechanical robustness under static strain. Long-term operational stability under combined illumination and dynamic mechanical stress is not reported. However, the chemical robustness imparted by the cross-linked structure and POM suggests potential for improved stability, but further testing under operational conditions is necessary to validate performance over extended periods.
Related Chinese Research & Cross-Citations
Ammonium Vanadate Cathodes in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Design Strategies and Research Progress
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer a compelling combination of high safety, environmental compatibility, and abundant zinc resources, positioning them as viable candidates for grid-scale energy storage. Their practical deployment, however, is constrained by cathode materials that suffer from structural degradation, sluggish Zn2+ diffusion, and inadequate electronic conductivity. Ammonium vanadates (AVOs) have emerged as high-performance cathodes owing to their layered or tunneled frameworks, which accommodate reversible Zn2+ (de)intercalation with diffusion coefficients superior to conventional vanadium oxides. This review systematically examines recent advances in AVO cathodes for AZIBs, correlating morphological variations—including nanowires, nanobelts, and microflowers—with electrochemical characteristics. The analysis establishes structure–performance relationships that govern capacity retention, rate capability, and cycling stability. Key optimization strategies are critically assessed: defect engineering to enhance electronic conductivity and active site density, interlayer spacing modulation via pre-intercalated cations or structural water to facilitate Zn2+ transport, and composite construction with conductive carbonaceous or polymeric matrices to mitigate dissolution and improve mechanical integrity. Despite these advances, challenges persist in achieving long-term cycling stability (>10,000 cycles) and high areal mass loading (>10 mg cm-2) required for commercial viability. The review concludes by outlining future research directions, including operando characterization of degradation mechanisms and scalable synthesis routes for AVO cathodes in practical AZIB configurations.
Microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platforms: Innovations for spinal cord injury repair
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a formidable clinical challenge due to the complex, dynamic lesion microenvironment that impedes axonal regeneration and functional recovery. This highlight examines a microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platform integrating microneedle delivery, ferroptosis modulation, and hydrogen therapy. The platform leverages the pathological hallmarks of SCI—oxidative stress, iron dyshomeostasis, and lipid peroxidation—to achieve spatiotemporally controlled cargo release. By combining microneedle arrays for minimally invasive intraparenchymal administration with hydrogen-releasing biomaterials, the system addresses the dual bottlenecks of poor drug penetration across the blood-spinal cord barrier and insufficient neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis inhibition is achieved through iron chelation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) stabilization, while hydrogen gas scavenges hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. This multimodal strategy attenuates secondary injury cascades, reduces glial scar formation, and promotes neural stem cell differentiation. The work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82574518) and the Talent Cultivation Project of Paring Academicians with Young Talents in higher education institutions in Zhejiang. The authors declare no conflict of interest. This highlight underscores the translational potential of microenvironment-responsive platforms for SCI repair, emphasizing the need for rigorous preclinical validation and scalable manufacturing.
Dual-Site Adsorption over Phosphorus-Doped Copper Oxide for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Ethylene
Electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene offers a promising route for renewable electricity storage, yet achieving high ethylene selectivity at industrial current densities remains challenging due to the large energy barrier for C–C coupling. Here, we report a “MOF-assisted in situ doping” strategy to introduce the oxophilic nonmetal phosphorus (P) into the copper oxide (CuO) lattice, constructing a localized Cu–P dual-site adsorption configuration for the key *OCCHO intermediate. The optimized catalyst delivers an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 64.6% for ethylene with a partial current density of 646 mA cm-2. Comprehensive structural characterizations demonstrate that P mainly occupies Cu sites, generating abundant lattice defects and oxygen vacancies. In situ synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that P doping modulates the electronic structure of Cu, optimizes the binding energies of *CO and *CHO, and stabilizes *OCCHO via P–O/Cu–C dual-site adsorption, thereby significantly lowering the asymmetric C-C coupling energy barrier to 0.74 eV. This work highlights a dual-site microenvironment regulation strategy for CO2-to-ethylene electroreduction.
Hydrophilic Single-Atom Interface Unlocks Low-Potential CO Removal on Pt in PEMFCs
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) fed with reformate hydrogen suffer severe anode poisoning by trace CO, necessitating high CO electrooxidation potentials that degrade performance and durability. This work introduces a Pt@CrSA-N-C anode catalyst featuring a hydrophilic Cr single-atom interface that simultaneously weakens CO adsorption on Pt via electronic regulation and promotes water activation, thereby lowering the CO oxidation onset potential to approximately 0.13 V vs. RHE. The onset potential was determined by two independent methods: the first potential at which the background-corrected current exceeds 0 mA cm-2 during CO oxidation reaction tests in a three-electrode system, and the potential at which the forward scan current exceeds the N2 background current in CO-stripping voltammetry. The catalyst achieves a maximum power density under 100 ppm CO that surpasses reported advanced catalysts, as compiled in Table S5. Structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterizations collectively establish a coherent rationale for the hydrophilic single-atom interface strategy. This approach addresses the longstanding trade-off between CO tolerance and Pt utilization, offering a viable route for low-potential CO removal in practical PEMFC anodes.
An Ionoelastomer-Based Bioinspired Wearable Electronics with Tele-Perception and Tactile Sensation for Machine Learning-Assisted Rehabilitation Management
Comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation efficiency is essential for designing appropriate training programs for better musculoskeletal functional recovery. Existing contact-receptor-dependent rehabilitation assessment systems mostly focus on assessing the restoration of muscle function by evaluating grip strength or joint flexion angle; however, parameters reflecting neuromuscular synergistic function are always overlooked. Herein, we develop an ionoelastomer-based soft artificial electroreceptor (SAER) that integrates tele-perception and tactile sensation to track the rehabilitation process, collecting signals related to approaching speed and grip strength sequentially. The SAER uses polyurethane ionoelastomer incorporated with quasi-solid conductive salt as the electric field receptor, and is integrated on a rehabilitation-training ball after assembly to establish an untethered detection device; this enables the remote capture of hand approaching parameter within a 9 cm range, followed by the quantification of grip strength when contacting and grasping. Furthermore, a data-driven assessment system is established by integrating machine learning, which accurately classifies rehabilitation efficiency into six levels; it supports for rehabilitation evaluation and training programs adjustment. Overall, the SAER-based rehabilitation management system establishes a paradigm that synergistically evaluating parameters corresponding to neuromuscular functional restoration and holds strong potential for home-based active rehabilitation for minimizing dependence on frequent clinical supervision.
Microwave-Absorbing Materials with Strong Environmental Adaptability for Corrosion Protection, Anti-Icing, and Thermal Management
Microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) deployed on naval vessels, aerospace vehicles, and critical electronic systems face coupled electromagnetic, marine salt-spray corrosion, and extreme-temperature loads that legacy single-function absorbers cannot withstand. This review consolidates progress on three environmentally adaptive MAM classes: corrosion-protective, anti-icing, and thermal-management absorbers. The electromagnetic loss and impedance-matching fundamentals are first established, then the synergistic mechanisms, design strategies, and characterization protocols for each class are examined against representative material systems and their measured performance. The analysis identifies a shared design logic—multiscale hierarchical architecture, interfacial polarization engineering, and multifunctional phase integration—while distinguishing the divergent protection mechanisms: barrier and passivation effects for corrosion, surface-energy and latent-heat regulation for anti-icing, and phonon–electron transport decoupling for thermal management. Persistent bottlenecks include the trade-off between impedance matching and protective-layer density, the absence of standardized coupled-field test protocols, and the scarcity of long-term salt-spray and thermal-cycling durability data. Future directions are delineated: intelligent self-adaptive absorbers, multiphysics-coupled simulation frameworks, and environmentally benign multifunctional integration. The review provides a theoretical and technical basis for the design, construction, and engineering scale-up of next-generation high-performance absorbers for aerospace, electronic, and marine equipment.