Wearable electronics and smart textiles are growing fields in the cause to
integrate modern communication and computing tools into clothing instead of
carrying around smart phones and tablets. Naturally, this also requires power
sources to be integrated in textiles. In this paper, a proof-of-concept is
presented in form of a photovoltaic cell based on a commercially available
viscose fiber. This has been realized using a silver nanowire network around
the viscose fiber to establish electrical contact and a photoactive coating
using the standard workhorse among organic thin film solar cells, a blend of
poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM).
Structure and performance of single fiber devices demonstrate their feasibility
and functionality. The applied materials and methods are compatible to solution
processing therewith qualifying for potential roll-to-roll large-scale
production
