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Importance of structural hinderance in performance–stability equilibrium of organic photovoltaics

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  • Baobing Fan

    (City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong)

  • Wei Gao

    (City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong)

  • Xuanhao Wu

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Xinxin Xia

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories)

  • Yue Wu

    (City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong)

  • Francis R. Lin

    (City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong)

  • Qunping Fan

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Xinhui Lu

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories)

  • Wen Jung Li

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Wei Ma

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Alex K.-Y. Jen

    (City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong
    University of Washington)

Abstract

Power conversion efficiency and long-term stability are two critical metrics for evaluating the commercial potential of organic photovoltaics. Although the field has witnessed a rapid progress of efficiency towards 19%, the intrinsic trade-off between efficiency and stability is still a challenging issue for bulk-heterojunction cells due to the very delicate crystallization dynamics of organic species. Herein, we developed a class of non-fullerene acceptors with varied side groups as an alternative to aliphatic chains. Among them, the acceptors with conjugated side groups show larger side-group torsion and more twisted backbone, however, they can deliver an efficiency as high as 18.3% in xylene-processed cells, which is among the highest values reported for non-halogenated solvent processed cells. Meanwhile, decent thermal/photo stability is realized for these acceptors containing conjugated side groups. Through the investigation of the geometry–performance–stability relationship, we highlight the importance of side-group steric hinderance of acceptors in achieving combined high-performance, stable, and eco-friendly organic photovoltaics.

Suggested Citation

  • Baobing Fan & Wei Gao & Xuanhao Wu & Xinxin Xia & Yue Wu & Francis R. Lin & Qunping Fan & Xinhui Lu & Wen Jung Li & Wei Ma & Alex K.-Y. Jen, 2022. "Importance of structural hinderance in performance–stability equilibrium of organic photovoltaics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-33754-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33754-3
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    1. Wei Gao & Ruijie Ma & Top Archie Dela Peña & Cenqi Yan & Hongxiang Li & Mingjie Li & Jiaying Wu & Pei Cheng & Cheng Zhong & Zhanhua Wei & Alex K.-Y. Jen & Gang Li, 2024. "Efficient all-small-molecule organic solar cells processed with non-halogen solvent," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.

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