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Tang A, Cong P, Dai T, Wang Z, Zhou E. A 2-A 1-D-A 1-A 2-Type Nonfullerene Acceptors. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2300175. [PMID: 37907430 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The A2-A1-D-A1-A2-type molecules consist of one electron-donating (D) core flanked by two electron-accepting units (A1 and A2) and have emerged as an essential branch of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs). These molecules generally possess higher molecular energy levels and wider optical bandgaps compared with those of the classic A-D-A- and A-DA'D-A-type NFAs, owing to the attenuated intramolecular charge transfer effect. These characteristics make them compelling choices for the fabrication of high-voltage organic photovoltaics (OPVs), ternary OPVs, and indoor OPVs. Herein, the recent progress in the A2-A1-D-A1-A2-type NFAs are reviewed, including the molecular engineering, structure-property relationships, voltage loss (Vloss), device stability, and photovoltaic performance of binary, ternary, and indoor OPVs. Finally, the challenges and provided prospects are discussed for the further development of this type of NFAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailing Tang
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Peiqing Cong
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Tingting Dai
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Zongtao Wang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Erjun Zhou
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
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Camero DM, Grinalds NJ, Kornman CT, Barba S, Li L, Weldeab AO, Castellano RK, Xue J. Thin-Film Morphology and Optical Properties of Photoisomerizable Donor-Acceptor Oligothiophenes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:25134-25147. [PMID: 35766151 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c05946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
It was recently reported that the most popular electron-accepting units introduced to π-conjugated oligomers studied for organic photovoltaic applications are susceptible to unwanted and even destructive photochemical reactions. The consequences of Z/E photoisomerization of the popular 2-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)rhodanine (RCN) unit on the optical and morphological properties of a homologous series of RCN-functionalized oligothiophenes are studied here. Oligomers consisting of one, two, or three thiophene units were studied as pure Z isomers and with E isomer compositions of 25, 53, and 45%, respectively, for Z/E mixtures. Solutions of Z isomers and Z/E mixtures were characterized by UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy, wherein changes to optical properties were evaluated on the basis of E isomer content. X-ray diffraction of thin-film Z/E mixtures reveals crystalline domains of both Z and E forms after thermal annealing for mono- and bithiophene oligomers, with greater interplanar spacing for E crystalline domains than the Z counterparts along the substrate normal direction. The surface morphology viewed by atomic force microscopy also shows fiberlike structures for the E form with a much larger aspect ratio than for the Z domains in the bithiophene oligomer. Optical characterization reveals drastic changes in the solid state upon introduction of the E form for the mono- and bithiophene derivatives, whereas subtle consequences are noted for the terthiophene analogue. Most notably, a 132 nm redshift in maximum absorption occurs for the bithiophene oligomer films containing 53% E isomer compared to the pure Z counterpart. Finally, although solid-state photoisomerization experiments find no evidence of Z → E isomerization in polycrystalline Z films, E → Z isomerization is observed and becomes more restrictive in films with higher crystallinity (i.e., after thermal annealing). This structure-property study, which elucidates the consequences of the RCN configuration on solid-state packing and optical properties, is expected to guide the development of more efficient and stable organic optoelectronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Camero
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Nathan J Grinalds
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Cory T Kornman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Stefano Barba
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET), Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Asmerom O Weldeab
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Ronald K Castellano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Jiangeng Xue
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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Wang X, Li Y, Li J, Zhang Y, Shao J, Li Y. Direct Arylation Synthesis of Small Molecular Acceptors for Organic Solar Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083515. [PMID: 37110749 PMCID: PMC10144321 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, small molecular acceptors (SMAs) have extensively promoted the progress of organic solar cells (OSCs). The facile tuning of chemical structures affords SMAs excellent tunability of their absorption and energy levels, and it gives SMA-based OSCs slight energy loss, enabling OSCs to achieve high power conversion efficiencies (e.g., >18%). However, SMAs always suffer complicated chemical structures requiring multiple-step synthesis and cumbersome purification, which is unfavorable to the large-scale production of SMAs and OSC devices for industrialization. Direct arylation coupling reaction via aromatic C-H bonds activation allows for the synthesis of SMAs under mild conditions, and it simultaneously reduces synthetic steps, synthetic difficulty, and toxic by-products. This review provides an overview of the progress of SMA synthesis through direct arylation and summarizes the typical reaction conditions to highlight the field's challenges. Significantly, the impacts of direct arylation conditions on reaction activity and reaction yield of the different reactants' structures are discussed and highlighted. This review gives a comprehensive view of preparing SMAs by direct arylation reactions to cause attention to the facile and low-cost synthesis of photovoltaic materials for OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Yuechen Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Jianfeng Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), No. 1088, Xueyuan Road, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Jinjun Shao
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE), School of Flexible Electronics (Future Technologies), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Yongfang Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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High efficiency inverted organic solar cells with photo annealing titanium oxide films as electron extract layer. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Schweda B, Reinfelds M, Hofstadler P, Trimmel G, Rath T. Recent Progress in the Design of Fused-Ring Non-Fullerene Acceptors-Relations between Molecular Structure and Optical, Electronic, and Photovoltaic Properties. ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS 2021; 4:11899-11981. [PMID: 35856015 PMCID: PMC9286321 DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.1c01737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic solar cells are on the dawn of the next era. The change of focus toward non-fullerene acceptors has introduced an enormous amount of organic n-type materials and has drastically increased the power conversion efficiencies of organic photovoltaics, now exceeding 18%, a value that was believed to be unreachable some years ago. In this Review, we summarize the recent progress in the design of ladder-type fused-ring non-fullerene acceptors in the years 2018-2020. We thereby concentrate on single layer heterojunction solar cells and omit tandem architectures as well as ternary solar cells. By analyzing more than 700 structures, we highlight the basic design principles and their influence on the optical and electrical structure of the acceptor molecules and review their photovoltaic performance obtained so far. This Review should give an extensive overview of the plenitude of acceptor motifs but will also help to understand which structures and strategies are beneficial for designing materials for highly efficient non-fullerene organic solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Schweda
- Institute for Chemistry and
Technology of Materials, NAWI Graz, Graz
University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010Graz, Austria
| | - Matiss Reinfelds
- Institute for Chemistry and
Technology of Materials, NAWI Graz, Graz
University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010Graz, Austria
| | - Petra Hofstadler
- Institute for Chemistry and
Technology of Materials, NAWI Graz, Graz
University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010Graz, Austria
| | - Gregor Trimmel
- Institute for Chemistry and
Technology of Materials, NAWI Graz, Graz
University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Rath
- Institute for Chemistry and
Technology of Materials, NAWI Graz, Graz
University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010Graz, Austria
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Abstract
Solution–processed organic solar cells (OSC) have been explored widely due to their low cost and convenience, and impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) which have surpassed 18%. In particular, the optimization of film morphology, including the phase separation structure and crystallinity degree of donor and acceptor domains, is crucially important to the improvement in PCE. Considering that the film morphology optimization of many blends can be achieved by regulating the film–forming process, it is necessary to take note of the employment of solvents and additives used during film processing, as well as the film–forming conditions. Herein, we summarize the recent investigations about thin films and expect to give some guidance for its prospective progress. The different film morphologies are discussed in detail to reveal the relationship between the morphology and device performance. Then, the principle of morphology regulating is concluded with. Finally, a future controlling of the film morphology and development is briefly outlined, which may provide some guidance for further optimizing the device performance.
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Quantum chemical analysis and molecular dynamics simulations to study the impact of electron-deficient substituents on electronic behavior of small molecule acceptors. COMPUT THEOR CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.comptc.2021.113387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Bai Y, Xue LW, Wang HQ, Zhang ZG. Research Advances on Benzotriazole-based Organic Photovoltaic Materials. ACTA CHIMICA SINICA 2021. [DOI: 10.6023/a21050193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Kornman CT, Li L, Weldeab AO, Ghiviriga I, Abboud KA, Castellano RK. Photoisomerization of dicyanorhodanine-functionalized thiophenes. Chem Sci 2020; 11:10190-10197. [PMID: 34094283 PMCID: PMC8162279 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc04409a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
π-Conjugated oligomers functionalized with the popular dicyanorhodanine (RCN) electron acceptor are shown to be susceptible to photo-induced Z/E isomerization. The stereochemistry of two model RCN-functionalized thiophenes is confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis and 2D NMR, and shown to be the thermodynamically stable Z form. Relative energies, Z/E configurations, and conformational preferences are modelled using density functional theory (DFT). The photophysical properties of the model compounds are explored experimentally and computationally; the Z and E isomers display similar absorption profiles with significant spectral overlap and are inseparable upon irradiation to a photostationary state. The well-behaved photoisomerization process is routinely observable by thin-layer chromatography, UV-vis, and NMR, and the photochemical behavior of the two RCN-functionalized thiophenes is characterized under varying wavelengths of irradiation. Ultraviolet (254 nm) irradiation results in photostationary state compositions of 56/44 and 69/31 Z-isomer/E-isomer for substrates functionalized with one thiophene and two thiophenes, respectively. Ambient laboratory lighting results in excess of 10 percent E-isomer for each species in solution, an important consideration for processing such materials, particularly for organic photovoltaic applications. In addition, a photoswitching experiment is conducted to demonstrate the reversible nature of the photoreaction, where little evidence of fatigue is observed over numerous switching cycles. Overall, this work showcases an approach to characterize the stereochemistry and photochemical behavior of dicyanorhodanine-functionalized thiophenes, widely used components of functional molecules and materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory T Kornman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida PO Box 117200 Gainesville FL 32611 USA
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida PO Box 117200 Gainesville FL 32611 USA .,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET), Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Asmerom O Weldeab
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida PO Box 117200 Gainesville FL 32611 USA
| | - Ion Ghiviriga
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida PO Box 117200 Gainesville FL 32611 USA
| | - Khalil A Abboud
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida PO Box 117200 Gainesville FL 32611 USA
| | - Ronald K Castellano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida PO Box 117200 Gainesville FL 32611 USA
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Lei P, Zhang B, Chen Y, Geng Y, Zeng Q, Tang A, Zhou E. Gradual Fluorination on the Phenyl Side Chains for Benzodithiophene-Based Linear Polymers to Improve the Photovoltaic Performance. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:38451-38459. [PMID: 32846482 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c07720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To study the impact of introducing fluorine atoms onto the conjugated phenyl side chains of benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene (BDT)-based copolymers, three novel donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) alternative polymers PE40, PE42, and PE44 were designed and synthesized. The phenyl-substituted-BDT, thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, and benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole (BTA) served as the donor, π-bridge, and acceptor units, respectively, to enable linear polymer backbones. When introducing two or four fluorine atoms into the phenyl side units of PE40, the polymers PE42 and PE44 demonstrate a gradual decrease of energy levels and an increase of crystallinity in the pristine and blend films. It was noted that the increase in fluorine atoms gradually improved the performance parameters of polymer solar cells (PSCs) with Y6 as the acceptor. The PE40:Y6 device yielded a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 7.07% with a short-circuit (JSC) of 21.36 mA cm-2, an open-circuVOC) of 0.65 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.51, and PE42:Y6 exhibited a better PCE of 10.11% (JSC = 23.25 mA cm-2, VOC = 0.74 V, and FF = 0.59), while PE44:Y6 exhibited the best PCE of 13.62% (JSC = 25.29 mA cm-2, VOC = 0.82 V, and FF = 0.66). The suitable energy offsets between the donor and the acceptor, high and balanced charge-carrier mobility, and the optimal morphology of the blend film contributed to the high performance of PE44:Y6 combination. Our results demonstrate that introducing more fluorine atoms onto the phenyl side units of BDT is a prospective approach to break the trade-offs between VOC, JSC, and FF, and finally improve the performance of PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lei
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bao Zhang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - You Chen
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanfang Geng
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Qingdao Zeng
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ailing Tang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Erjun Zhou
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Lim E. P3HT‐Based Polymer Solar Cells with Unfused Bithiophene–Rhodanine‐based Nonfullerene Acceptors. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.12048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eunhee Lim
- Department of ChemistryKyonggi University Suwon 16227 Republic of Korea
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