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Rationally Tailoring Simple Non-Fused Ring Electron Acceptors Toward Zwitterionic Interlayers for Organic
Huixiang Zhang1, Wentian Han1, Lulu Fu2
1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P.R. China.
Researchers developed novel zwitterionic non-fused-ring electron acceptors (zNFREAs) for organic solar cells (OSCs). These materials enhance interfacial compatibility and achieve high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) up to 20.73%.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Organic solar cells (OSCs) require compatible organic semiconductors for active layers and interlayers.
- Disparate properties of electron acceptors and interlayers hinder optimal interfacial compatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a new class of zwitterionic non-fused-ring electron acceptors (zNFREAs) as interlayer materials for OSCs.
- To investigate the effect of synergistic sidechain modulation on optoelectronic properties and device performance.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized four zNFREAs with a thiophene-benzene-thiophene core and indanone terminals.
- Incorporated TBT-TMZ as an interlayer in PM6:Y6 and D18:BTP-eC9:L8-BO based OSCs.
- Evaluated device performance, including power conversion efficiency (PCE) and thickness insensitivity.
Main Results:
- TBT-TMZ demonstrated favorable solubility, tunable work function, and good film-forming properties.
- PM6:Y6 devices with TBT-TMZ achieved a PCE of 18.21% with exceptional thickness insensitivity.
- D18:BTP-eC9:L8-BO devices achieved a high PCE of 20.73% with TBT-TMZ interlayers.
Conclusions:
- The developed zNFREAs offer a promising strategy for enhancing interfacial compatibility in OSCs.
- Systematic optimization of polar and non-polar sidechains is crucial for high-performance, water/alcohol-soluble n-type organic semiconductors.
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