Tailoring small-molecule acceptors through asymmetric side-chain substitution for efficient organic solar cells

IF 6.8 2区材料科学 Q1 MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Science China Materials Pub Date : 2025-02-13 DOI:10.1007/s40843-024-3252-3

Lan Xie (, ), Dingding Qiu (, ), Xianghao Zeng (, ), Chung Hang Kwok (, ), Yan Wang (, ), Jia Yao (, ), Kan Ding (, ), Lu Chen (, ), Jicheng Yi (, ), Harald Ade (, ), Zhixiang Wei (, ), Wai-Yeung Wong (, ), He Yan (, ), Han Yu (, )

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Side chain engineering of small-molecule acceptors (SMAs) is a promising strategy for improving device efficiency in organic solar cells (OSCs). This study investigates the parent SMAs of BT-BO and BT-TBO, along with the newly synthesized asymmetric SMA, BT-ASY, which features branched alkyl chains and thiophene side chains substituted at the β positions of the thiophene units, respectively. Despite exhibiting comparable optical and electrochemical properties, the PM6:BT-ASY-based device achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.08% representing a significant improvement over its symmetric counterparts. This enhancement is primarily attributed to improved charge mobility, extended carrier lifetimes, optimized molecular packing, and effective phase separation, as confirmed by grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements. Our findings highlight that asymmetric side-chain strategy enhances π-π stacking and electronic coupling, offering a simple yet effective approach to improving photovoltaic performance. This work underscores the potential of asymmetric structural modifications in SMAs for advancing OSC technology and renewable energy solutions.

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来源期刊

Science China Materials Materials Science-General Materials Science

CiteScore

11.40

自引率

7.40%

发文量

949

期刊介绍： Science China Materials (SCM) is a globally peer-reviewed journal that covers all facets of materials science. It is supervised by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and co-sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The journal is jointly published monthly in both printed and electronic forms by Science China Press and Springer. The aim of SCM is to encourage communication of high-quality, innovative research results at the cutting-edge interface of materials science with chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. It focuses on breakthroughs from around the world and aims to become a world-leading academic journal for materials science.