Novel A-π-D-π-A type non-fullerene acceptors of dithienyl diketopyrropopyrrole derivatives to enhance organic photovoltaic applications: a DFT study

Development of Dopant-Free N,N'-Bicarbazole-Based Hole Transport Materials for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Efficient and stable hole-transport material (HTM) is essential for enhancing the efficiency and stability of high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The commonly used HTMs such as spiro-OMeTAD need dopants to produce high efficiency, but those dopants degrade the perovskite film and cause instability. Therefore, the development of dopant-free N,N'-bicarbazole-based HTM is receiving huge attention for preparing stable, cost-effective, and efficient PSCs. Herein, we designed and proposed seven distinct small-molecule-based HTMs (B1-B7), which are synthesized and do not require dopants to fabricate efficient PSCs. To design this new series, we performed synergistic side-chain engineering on the synthetic reference molecule (B) by replacing two methylthio (-SCH3) terminal groups with a thiophene bridge and electron-withdrawing acceptor. The enhanced phase inversion geometry of the proposed molecules resulted in reduced energy gaps and better electrical, optical, and optoelectronic properties. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT simulations have been used to study the precise photo-physical and optoelectronic properties. We also looked into the effects of holes and electrons and the materials' structural and photovoltaic properties, including light harvesting energy, frontier molecular orbital, transition density matrix, density of states, electron density matrix, and natural population analysis. Electron density difference maps identify the interfacial charge transfer from the donor to the acceptor through the bridge, and natural population analysis measures the amount of charge on each portion of the donor, bridge, and acceptor, which most effectively represents the role of the end-capped moieties in facilitating charge transfer. Among these designed molecules, the B6 molecule has the greatest absorbance (λmax of 444.93 nm in dichloromethane solvent) and a substantially shorter optical band gap of 3.93 eV. Furthermore, the charge transfer analysis reveals superior charge transfer with improved intrinsic characteristics. Furthermore, according to the photovoltaic analysis, the designed (B1-B7) HTMs have the potential to provide better fill factor and open-circuit voltages, which will ultimately increase the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs. Therefore, we recommend these molecules for the next-generation PSCs.

Tuning optoelectronic properties of indandione-based D-A materials by malononitrile group acceptors: A DFT and TD-DFT approach

CONTEXT

Indandione-based materials are promising candidates for organic electronics, offering high electron mobility and tunable optoelectronic properties. In this study, we explore the optoelectronic and photovoltaic properties of indandione-based donor-acceptor (D-A) materials, specifically (R1) and (R2), by introducing malononitrile group acceptors into their molecular structure. These strong electron-withdrawing acceptors are designed to enhance charge transfer and overall material performance. The designed molecules (DM1-DM4) exhibit a low optical band gap of approximately 1.77 eV, significantly lower than the reference materials (R1 and R2) at around 2.24 eV in a solvent environment. Among the designed molecules, DM4 stands out with superior photovoltaic parameters, including a narrow optical band gap (1.77 eV), higher electron affinity (3.49 eV), an extended excited state lifetime (10.0 ns) owing to its low electron and hole reorganization energies (λe ~ 0.13 eV and λh ~ 0.24 eV), and improved short-circuit current density (Jsc) of ~ 15.73 mA/cm2. Notably, DM4 achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ~ 18.5%, making it an excellent candidate for device applications.

METHOD

A comprehensive computational investigation was carried out on indandione-based D-A materials with malononitrile group acceptors (DM1-DM4) using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods, as implemented in Gaussian 16 software. We examined the electronic and optical properties of the proposed molecules through frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis, UV-Vis absorption spectra, density of states (DOS), exciton binding energy (Eb), and transition density matrix (TDM) analysis, utilizing GaussView 6.0 and Multiwfn 3.8 software. The photovoltaic parameters and power conversion efficiency (PCE) were evaluated using the Scharber and Alharbi models.

Engineering of the Central Core on DBD-Based Materials with Improved Power-Conversion Efficiency by Using the DFT Approach

Developing proficient organic solar cells with improved optoelectronic properties is still a matter of concern. In the current study, with an aspiration to boost the optoelectronic properties and proficiency of organic solar cells, seven new small-molecule acceptors (Db1-Db7) are presented by altering the central core of the reference molecule (DBD-4F). The optoelectronic aspects of DBD-4F and Db1-Db7 molecules were explored using the density functional theory (DFT) approach, and solvent-state calculations were assessed utilizing TD-SCF simulations. It was noted that improvement in photovoltaic features was achieved by designing these molecules. The results revealed a bathochromic shift in absorption maxima (λmax) of designed molecules reaching up to 776 nm compared to 736 nm of DBD-4F. Similarly, a narrow band gap, low excitation energy, and reduced binding energy were also observed in newly developed molecules in comparison with the pre-existing DBD-4F molecule. Performance improvement can be indicated by the high light-harvesting efficiency (LHE) of designed molecules (ranging from 0.9992 to 0.9996 eV) compared to the reference having a 0.9991 eV LHE. Db4 and Db5 exhibited surprisingly improved open-circuit voltage (V OC) values up to 1.64 and 1.67 eV and a fill factor of 0.9198 and 0.9210, respectively. Consequently, these newly designed molecules can be considered in the future for practical use in manufacturing OSCs with improved optoelectronic and photovoltaic attributes.

DFT study of the spectroscopic behaviour of different iron(II)-terpyridine derivatives with application in DSSCs

Through a comprehensive computational analysis utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT), we clarify the electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of modified iron(II)-terpyridine derivatives, with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). We optimized a series of nineteen iron(II)-terpyridine derivatives and related compounds in acetonitrile (MeCN) as the solvent using TDDFT, evaluating their potential as dyes for DSSCs. From the conducted computations on the optimized geometries of the nineteen [Fe(Ln)2]2+ complexes, containing substituted terpyridine and related ligands L1-L19, we determined the wavelengths (λ in nm), transition energy (E in eV), oscillator strength (f), type of transitions, excited state lifetime (τ), light harvesting efficiency (LHE), frontier orbital character and their energies (ELUMO/EHOMO), natural transition orbitals (NTOs), injection driving force of a dye (ΔGinject), and regeneration driving force of a dye (ΔGregenerate). Results show that the theoretically calculated values for assessing dye efficiency in a DSSC correlate with available experimental values. The UV-visible spectra of [Fe(Ln)2]2+ exhibited a peak above 500 nm (λmax) in the visible region, attributed to the ligand-to-metal charge transfer band (LMCT) in literature, and a significant absorbance peak at approximately 300 nm (λA,max) in the UV region. The M06-D3/CEP-121G method replicated all reported λmax and λA,max values with a mean absolute deviation (MAD) of 21 and 18 nm, respectively. Our findings underscore the connections between electronic modifications and absorption spectra, emphasizing their impact on the light-harvesting capabilities and overall performance of DSSCs. This research contributes to the advancement of fundamental principles governing the design and optimization of novel photovoltaic materials, facilitating the development of more efficient and sustainable solar energy technologies.

Designing Thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione Core-Based, A2-D-A1-D-A2-Type Acceptor Molecules for Promising Photovoltaic Parameters in Organic Photovoltaic Cells

Nonfullerene-based organic solar cells can be utilized as favorable photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices due to their enhanced life span and efficiency. In this research, seven new molecules were designed to improve the working efficiency of organic solar cells by utilizing a terminal acceptor modification approach. The perceived A2-D-A1-D-A2 configuration-based molecules possess a lower band gap ranging from 1.95 to 2.21 eV compared to the pre-existing reference molecule (RW), which has a band gap of 2.23 eV. The modified molecules also exhibit higher λmax values ranging from 672 to 768 nm in the gaseous and 715-839 nm in solvent phases, respectively, as compared to the (RW) molecule, which has λmax values at 673 and 719 nm in gas and chloroform medium, respectively. The ground state geometries, molecular planarity parameter, and span of deviation from the plane were analyzed to study the planarity of all of the molecules. The natural transition orbitals, the density of state, molecular electrostatic potential, noncovalent interactions, frontier molecular orbitals, and transition density matrix analysis of all studied molecules were executed to validate the optoelectronic properties of these molecules. Improved charge mobilities and dipole moments were observed, as newly designed molecules possessed lower internal reorganization energies. The open circuit voltage (Voc) of W4, W5, W6, and W7 among newly designed molecules was improved as compared to the reference molecule. These results elaborate on the superiority of these novel-designed molecules over the pre-existing (RW) molecule as potential blocks for better organic solar cell applications.

Effect of Benzothiadiazole-Based π-Spacers on Fine-Tuning of Optoelectronic Properties of Oligothiophene-Core Donor Materials for Efficient Organic Solar Cells: A DFT Study

In this work, five novel A-π-D-π-A type molecules D1-D5 were designed by adding unusual benzothiadiazole derivatives as π-spacer blocks to the efficient reference molecule DRCN5T for application as donor materials in organic solar cells (OSCs). Based on a density functional theory approach, a comprehensive theoretical study was performed with different functionals (B3LYP, B3LYP-GD3, B3LYP-GD3BJ, CAM-B3LYP, M06, M062X, and wB97XD) and with different solvent types (PCM and SMD) at the extended basis set 6-311+g(d,p) to evaluate the structural, optoelectronic, and intramolecular charge transfer properties of these molecules. The B3LYP-GD3BJ hybrid functional was used to optimize the studied molecules in CHCl3 solution with the SMD model solvent as it provided the best results compared to experimental data. Transition density matrix maps were simulated to examine the hole-electron localization and the electronic excitation processes in the excited state, and photovoltaic parameters including open-circuit photovoltage and fill factor were investigated to predict the efficiency of these materials. All the designed materials showed promising optoelectronic and photovoltaic characteristics, and for most of them, a red shift. Out of the proposed molecules, [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-d]pyridazine was selected as a promising π-spacer block to evaluate its interaction with PC61BM in a composite to understand the charge transfer between the donor and acceptor subparts. Overall, this study showed that adding π-spacer building blocks to the molecular structure is undoubtedly a potential strategy to further enhance the performance of donor materials for OSC applications.

Exploring the Electronic, Optical, and Charge Transfer Properties of A-D-A-Type IDTV-ThIC-Based Molecules To Enhance Photovoltaic Performance of Organic Solar Cells

Improving the charge mobility and optoelectronic properties of indacenodithiophene-based small molecule acceptors is a key challenge to improving overall efficiency. In this current research, seven newly designed molecules (DT1-DT7) comprising the indacenodithiophene-based core are presented to tune energy levels, enhance charge mobility, and improve the photovoltaic performance of IDTV-ThIC molecules via density functional theory. All the molecules were designed by end-capped modification by substituting terminal acceptors of IDTV-ThIC with strong electron-withdrawing moieties. Among all the examined structures, DT1 has proved itself a superior molecule in multiple aspects, including higher λmax in chloroform (787 nm) and gaseous phase (727 nm), narrow band gap (2.16 eV), higher electron affinity (3.31 eV), least excitation energy (1.57 eV), and improved charge mobility due to low reorganization energy and higher excited state lifetime (2.37 ns) when compared to the reference (IDTV-ThIC) and other molecules. DT5 also showed remarkable improvement in different parameters, such as the lowest exciton binding energy (0.41 eV), leading to easier charge moveability. The improved open-circuit voltage of DT4 and DT5 makes them proficient molecules exhibiting the charge transfer phenomenon. The enlightened outcomes of these molecules can pave a new route to develop efficient organic solar cell devices using these molecules, especially DT1, DT4, and DT5.

A DFT study for improving the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells by designing symmetric non-fullerene acceptors by quantum chemical modification on pre-existed LC81 molecule

Minimizing the energy loss and improving the open circuit voltage of organic solar cells is still a primary concern for scientists working in this field. With the aim to enhance the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells by minimizing energy loss and improving open circuit voltage, seven new acceptor molecules (LC1-LC7) are presented in this work. These molecules are designed by modifying the terminal acceptors of pre-existed "LC81" molecule based on an indacinodithiophene (IDT) fused core. The end-group modification approach is very fruitful in ameliorating the efficacy and optoelectric behavior of OSCs. The newly developed molecules presented remarkable improvements in performance-related parameters and optoelectronic properties. Among all designed molecules, LC7 exhibited the highest absorption maxima (λmax = 869 nm) with the lowest band-gap (1.79 eV), lowest excitation energy (Ex = 1.42 eV), lowest binding energy, and highest excited state lifetime (0.41 ns). The newly designed molecules LC2, LC3, and LC4 exhibited remarkably improved Voc that was 1.84 eV, 1.82 eV, and 1.79 eV accordingly, compared to the LC81 molecule with Voc of 1.74 eV LC2 molecule showed significant improvement in fill factor compared to the previously presented LC81 molecule. LC2, LC6, and LC7 showed a remarkable reduction in energy loss by showing Eloss values of 0.26 eV, 0.18 eV, and 0.25 eV than LC81 molecule (0.37 eV). These findings validate the supremacy of these developed molecules (especially LC2) as potential components of future OSCs.

Theoretical design and evaluation of efficient small donor molecules for organic solar cells

CONTEXT

The development of high-efficiency photovoltaic devices is the need of time with increasing demand for energy. Herein, we designed seven small molecule donors (SMDs) with A-π-D-π-A backbones containing various acceptor groups for high-efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs). Molecular engineering was performed by substituting the acceptor group in the synthesized compound (BPR) with another highly efficient acceptor group to improve the photoelectric performance of the molecule.

METHOD

The photovoltaic, optoelectronic, and photophysical properties of the proposed compounds (BP1-BP7) were investigated in comparison to BPR using DFT and TD-DFT at MPW1PW91/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. All molecules we designed have red-shifted absorption spectra. The modification of the acceptor fragment of the BPR resulted in a reduced HOMO-LUMO energy gap; thus, the designed compounds (BP1-BP7) had improved optoelectronic responses as compared with the BPR molecule. Various key factors that are crucial for efficient SMDs such as exciton binding energy, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), absorption maximum (λmax), open circuit voltage (VOC), dipole moment (μ), excitation charge mobilities, and the transition density matrix of (BPR, BP1-BP7) have also been studied. Low reorganizational energy (holes and electrons) values provide high charge mobility, and all the designed compounds are efficient in this regard. Here, BP6 exhibits low excitation energy (1.66 eV), highest open circuit voltage (2.00 V), normalized VOC (77.23), and fill factor (0.931). Consequently, the superiority of the designed molecules advises experimenters to envision future developments in extremely effective OSC devices.

A narrow band gap non-fullerene electron acceptor based on a dithieno-3,2-b:2',3'-dlpyrrole unit for high performance organic solar cells with minimal highest occupied molecular orbital offset

Here, a new narrow band gap non-fullerene small molecular acceptor (NFSMA) based on a dithieno-3,2-b:2',3'-dlpyrrole(DTP) unit, namely SNIC-F, was designed and synthesized. Due to the strong electron-donating ability of the DTP-based fused-ring core, SNIC-F showed a strong intramolecular-charge transfer (ICT) effect and thus gave a narrow band gap of 1.32 eV. Benefiting from the low band gap and efficient charge separation, when pairing with a copolymer PBTIBDTT, the device optimized by 0.5% 1-CN gave a high short circuit current (J_sc) of 19.64 mA cm^-2. In addition, a high open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.83 V was obtained due to the near 0 eV highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) offset between PBTIBDTT and SNIC-F. As a result, a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.25% was obtained, and the PCE was maintained above 9.2% as the active layer thickness increased from 100 nm to 250 nm. Our work indicated that designing a narrow band gap NFSMA-based DTP unit and blending it with a polymer donor with small HOMO offset is an efficient strategy for achieving high performance OSCs.

DFT study of UV-vis-properties of thiophene-containing Cu(β-diketonato)2 - Application for DSSC

Experimental and theoretically calculated UV-vis properties of three Cu(β-diketonato)₂ complexes are presented. The Cu(β-diketonato)₂ contains β-diketones without (β-diketone = acetylacetone, (CH₃)COCH₂CO(CH₃), complex (1)), with one (β-diketone = thenoyltrifluoroacetone, (CF₃)COCH₂CO(C₄H₃S), complex (2)) and with two thiophene (β-diketone = (CF₃)COCH₂CO(C₄H₂S) (C₄H₃S), complex (3)) groups. More thiophenes on the β-diketonato ligand of Cu(β-diketonato)₂, lead to a red shift of the experimental absorbance maxima of the UV-vis of the complex, from 295 nm for complex (1), to 340 nm for complex (2) to 390 nm for complex (3). Theoretical time dependant density functional theory calculations indicate that both the two strongest absorbance peaks of the ultraviolet-visible spectrum of Cu(acetylacetonato)₂ are mainly ligand-to-metal charge-transfer excitations. However, the absorbance maxima of the UV-vis of thiophene-containing Cu(β-diketonato)₂ are mainly ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer excitations. Calculated properties such as light harvesting energy (LHE = 0.47, 0.94 and 0.99 for (1)-(3) respectively), driving force for electron injection (ΔG_inject = 1.43, 0.76 and 0.63 for (1)-(3) respectively), and driving force of dye regeneration (ΔG_regenerate = 1.85, 2.16 and 1.49 for (1)-(3) respectively), are favourable for (1)-(3) to be considered as dyes in DSSCs. However, some structural modifications are needed to prevent intramolecular charge recombination after excitation.