20.5 % efficient ternary organic photovoltaics using an asymmetric small-molecular acceptor to manipulate intermolecular packing and reduce energy losses
Journal article, 2025
Oligomeric acceptors are increasingly recognized as promising n-type materials for organic photovoltaics (OPVs) due to their precise molecular structures, long-term stability, and high efficiency. However, inferior molecular packing and high energy losses have hindered their further use. Here, we overcome these challenges by developing an asymmetric small molecular acceptor (SMA), BTP-J17, and applying it as the second acceptor component in OPVs composed of PM6:DIBP3F-Se:BTP-J17 (refer to our recent work on dimeric acceptor DIBP3F-Se). The BTP-J17 is very miscible with the DIBP3F-Se and appears to diffuse into the host donor-acceptor interface. The ensuing ternary cells exhibit enhanced exciton dissociation, improved carrier mobility, and more efficient charge extraction. Optimised OPVs based on PM6:DIBP3F-Se:BTP-J17 show enhanced open-circuit voltage (VOC) while maintaining the high short-circuit current (JSC) from the binary blends, boosting the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 18.40 % to 19.60 %. By integrating MgF2 as an antireflection coating and n-doping the ternary BHJ with ethyl viologen (EV), we were able to further boost the PCE to 20.5 % (uncertified) and simultaneously extended the outdoor stability to seven weeks. Our findings highlight the crucial role of asymmetric SMA as an additional component for boosting the performance and stability of OPVs.
Intermolecular packing
Energy loss
Asymmetric non-fullerene small molecular acceptor
High efficiency ternary organic photovoltaics
Author
Zhaoheng Ling
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Jingnan Wu
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
Aalborg University
José P. Jurado
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Christopher E. Petoukhoff
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Sang Young Jeong
Korea University
Dipti R. Naphade
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Maxime Babics
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Xiaoming Chang
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Hendrik Faber
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Spyros Doukas
University of Ioannina
E. Lidorikis
University of Ioannina
Mohamad Insan Nugraha
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional
Mingjie He
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Maryam Alqurashi
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Y. B. Lin
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)
Xiaokang Sun
Shenzhen Polytechnic University
Hanlin Hu
Shenzhen Polytechnic University
Han Young Woo
Korea University
Stefaan De Wolf
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Leonidas Tsetseris
National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
Frédéric Laquai
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Donghong Yu
Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research Denmark
Aalborg University
Ergang Wang
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Thomas D. Anthopoulos
University of Manchester
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports
0927-796X (ISSN)
Vol. 163 100922Material Designing for Photomultiplication Type Organic Photodetectors and Performance Optimization
The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) (MG2021-9063), 2022-07-01 -- 2025-06-30.
Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Materials Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry
Other Physics Topics
DOI
10.1016/j.mser.2024.100922