Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
11:26
Integrating a Triplet-triplet Annihilation Up-conversion System to Enhance Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Response to Sub-bandgap Light
Published on: September 12, 2014
Attaining 19.12% solar cell efficiency for non-fused ring electron acceptors via multi-dimensional charge transport
Miao Li1,2, Qianqian Zhu1, Nan Wei3,4
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Flexible Composite and Intelligent Devices, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China.
Nature Communications
|June 18, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a new strategy using supramolecular interactions to improve non-fused ring electron acceptors (NFREAs) for organic solar cells (OSCs). This led to a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.12% in a new device.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Non-fused ring electron acceptors (NFREAs) are crucial for organic solar cells (OSCs) but suffer from low power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) due to suboptimal electron transport.
- Developing NFREAs with enhanced charge transport properties is essential for advancing OSC technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel supramolecular side-chain-induced strategy to enhance charge transport in NFREAs.
- To investigate the impact of terminal phenyl and fluorinated phenyl side chains on the molecular packing and electronic properties of NFREAs.
- To achieve high PCEs in OSCs utilizing the designed NFREAs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of NFREAs with terminal phenyl (3TT-Ph2) and fluorinated phenyl (3TT-Ph4) side chains, alongside an unfunctionalized control (3TT-2).
- Investigation of supramolecular interactions, including phenyl-acceptor (Ph-A), F···F, F···H, and F···C interactions, using spectroscopic and crystallographic methods.
- Fabrication and performance testing of organic solar cell devices incorporating the developed NFREAs.
Main Results:
- 3TT-Ph2 and 3TT-Ph4 molecules formed additional phenyl-acceptor (Ph-A) supramolecular interactions, unlike the control molecule 3TT-2.
- Fluorinated terminal phenyl groups induced multiple supramolecular interactions (F···F, F···H, F···C), promoting ordered molecular stacking.
- The synergistic effect of these interactions facilitated the construction of multi-dimensional charge transport channels.
- An organic solar cell device based on D18:3TT-Ph4 achieved a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.12% and a fill factor of 80.65%.
Conclusions:
- The supramolecular side-chain-induced strategy effectively enhances molecular stacking and charge transport in NFREAs.
- Terminal phenyl and fluorinated phenyl side chains play a critical role in promoting desirable supramolecular interactions for high-performance OSCs.
- This research provides an effective molecular design strategy for developing high-performance NFREAs for future organic solar cell applications.
