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A dendritic hexamer acceptor enables 19.4% efficiency with exceptional stability in organic solar cells

Author

Listed:
  • Tao Jia

    (Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University
    South China Normal University (SCNU))

  • Tao Lin

    (Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University)

  • Yang Yang

    (Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University)

  • Lunbi Wu

    (Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University)

  • Huimin Cai

    (Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University)

  • Zesheng Zhang

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Kangfeng Lin

    (Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University)

  • Yulong Hai

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou))

  • Yongmin Luo

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou))

  • Ruijie Ma

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Yao Li

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou))

  • Top Archie Peña

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou))

  • Sha Liu

    (Great Bay University)

  • Jie Zhang

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Chunchen Liu

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Junwu Chen

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Jiaying Wu

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou))

  • Shengjian Liu

    (South China Normal University (SCNU))

  • Fei Huang

    (South China University of Technology)

Abstract

To achieve the commercialization of organic solar cells (OSCs), it is crucial not only to enhance power conversion efficiency (PCE) but also to improve device stability through rational molecular design. Recently emerging giant molecular acceptor (GMA) materials offer various advantages, such as precise chemical structure, high molecular weight (beneficial to film stability under several external stress), and impressive device efficiency, making them a promising candidate. Here, we report a dendritic hexamer acceptor developed through a branch-connecting strategy, which overcomes the molecular weight bottleneck of GMAs and achieves a high production yield over 58%. The dendritic acceptor Six-IC exhibits modulated crystallinity and miscibility with the donor, thus better morphology performance compared to its monomer, DTC8. Its charge transport ability is further enhanced by additional channels between the armed units. Consequently, the binary OSCs based on D18:Six-IC achieves a cutting-edge efficiency of 19.4% for high-molecular weight acceptor based systems, as well as decent device stability and film ductility. This work reports high-performance OSCs based on dendritic molecule acceptor with a molecular weight exceeding 10000 g/mol and shares the understanding for designing comprehensively high-performing acceptor materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Tao Jia & Tao Lin & Yang Yang & Lunbi Wu & Huimin Cai & Zesheng Zhang & Kangfeng Lin & Yulong Hai & Yongmin Luo & Ruijie Ma & Yao Li & Top Archie Peña & Sha Liu & Jie Zhang & Chunchen Liu & Junwu Chen, 2025. "A dendritic hexamer acceptor enables 19.4% efficiency with exceptional stability in organic solar cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56225-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56225-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hongmei Zhuo & Xiaojun Li & Jinyuan Zhang & Can Zhu & Haozhe He & Kan Ding & Jing Li & Lei Meng & Harald Ade & Yongfang Li, 2023. "Precise synthesis and photovoltaic properties of giant molecule acceptors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Yuanyuan Jiang & Shaoming Sun & Renjie Xu & Feng Liu & Xiaodan Miao & Guangliu Ran & Kerui Liu & Yuanping Yi & Wenkai Zhang & Xiaozhang Zhu, 2024. "Non-fullerene acceptor with asymmetric structure and phenyl-substituted alkyl side chain for 20.2% efficiency organic solar cells," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(8), pages 975-986, August.
    3. Youcai Liang & Difei Zhang & Zerun Wu & Tao Jia & Larry Lüer & Haoran Tang & Ling Hong & Jiabin Zhang & Kai Zhang & Christoph J. Brabec & Ning Li & Fei Huang, 2022. "Organic solar cells using oligomer acceptors for improved stability and efficiency," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(12), pages 1180-1190, December.
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