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Updated: Apr 1, 2026

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation
Published on: March 2, 2021
Interchain supramolecular interactions drive nearly 21% efficiency organic solar cells
Wei Gao1, Yulong Hai2, Jinyan Zeng1
1Xiamen Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, Institute of Luminescent Materials and Information Displays, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China.
A novel small-molecule acceptor, S-Cb, with a cyclobutyl group enhances organic solar cell performance. This design suppresses electron-phonon coupling and optimizes alloy phases, achieving over 20% efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Organic solar cells (OSCs) require efficient charge transport and minimal energy loss.
- Ternary blends offer potential for improved OSC performance but face challenges in morphology control and charge dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a small-molecule acceptor (S-Cb) incorporating a cyclobutyl group.
- To investigate the impact of S-Cb on interchain interactions, electron-phonon coupling, and morphology in ternary OSCs.
- To optimize OSC performance through molecular design and blend composition.
Main Methods:
- Small-molecule acceptor design and synthesis (S-Cb).
- Fabrication and characterization of ternary organic solar cells (D18:S-Cb:L8-BO).
- Analysis of supramolecular interactions, electron-phonon coupling, and morphology.
Main Results:
- S-Cb, featuring a strained cyclobutyl group, promotes interchain supramolecular interactions via hydrogen bonding.
- These interactions effectively suppress electron-phonon coupling and enhance acceptor alloy phase formation.
- Ternary OSCs (D18:S-Cb:L8-BO) achieved a power conversion efficiency of 20.93% at an optimal S-Cb:L8-BO ratio.
Conclusions:
- Cyclobutyl-mediated interchain interactions are crucial for suppressing non-radiative energy loss in ternary OSCs.
- The designed S-Cb acceptor optimizes carrier behavior and morphology, leading to high-efficiency organic solar cells.
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