Singlet Fission: Progress and Prospects in Solar Cells.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photovoltaics
• Organic Electronics

Background:

• Third-generation photovoltaic technology seeks cost reduction and improved power conversion efficiency (PCE).
• Singlet fission (SF) is a multiple exciton generation (MEG) process in organic semiconductors, offering a route to exceed the Shockley-Queisser limit.
• Traditionally, SF has been an intermolecular process, with successful implementation in photovoltaic devices achieving external quantum efficiencies over 100%.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of intramolecular SF as a next-generation photovoltaic technology.
• To investigate how intramolecular SF can overcome limitations of intermolecular SF for improved solar cell performance.
• To highlight the advantages of intramolecular SF materials for facile device integration.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent advancements in intramolecular SF research.
• Analysis of the design principles and properties of intramolecular SF materials.
• Comparison of intramolecular SF with traditional intermolecular SF in photovoltaic applications.

Main Results:

• Efficient intramolecular SF has been recently reported in organic materials.
• Intramolecular SF materials present modularity and potential design flexibility.
• These materials may overcome constraints associated with intermolecular SF, facilitating device integration.

Conclusions:

• Intramolecular SF represents a significant advancement in third-generation photovoltaic technology.
• The modular nature of intramolecular SF materials facilitates easier integration into solar cells.
• Further development of intramolecular SF holds promise for boosting solar cell PCE and reducing costs.