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Shoaee S, Luong HM, Song J, Zou Y, Nguyen TQ, Neher D. What We have Learnt from PM6:Y6. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2302005. [PMID: 37623325 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Over the past three years, remarkable advancements in organic solar cells (OSCs) have emerged, propelled by the introduction of Y6-an innovative A-DA'D-A type small molecule non-fullerene acceptor (NFA). This review provides a critical discussion of the current knowledge about the structural and physical properties of the PM6:Y6 material combination in relation to its photovoltaic performance. The design principles of PM6 and Y6 are discussed, covering charge transfer, transport, and recombination mechanisms. Then, the authors delve into blend morphology and degradation mechanisms before considering commercialization. The current state of the art is presented, while also discussing unresolved contentious issues, such as the blend energetics, the pathways of free charge generation, and the role of triplet states in recombination. As such, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the PM6:Y6 material combination and its potential for further development in the field of organic solar cells. By addressing both the successes and challenges associated with this system, this review contributes to the ongoing research efforts toward achieving more efficient and stable organic solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safa Shoaee
- Optoelectronics of Disordered Semiconductors, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik, Leibniz-Institut im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hoang M Luong
- Centre for Polymers and Organic Solids, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Jiage Song
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Yingping Zou
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Thuc-Quyen Nguyen
- Centre for Polymers and Organic Solids, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Dieter Neher
- Soft Matter Physics and Optoelectronics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
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Hume PA, Price MB, Hodgkiss JM. New Avenues for Organic Solar Cells Using Intrinsically Charge-Generating Materials. JACS AU 2024; 4:1295-1302. [PMID: 38665646 PMCID: PMC11040696 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The molecular electron acceptor material Y6 has been a key part of the most recent surge in organic solar cell sunlight-to-electricity power conversion efficiency, which is now approaching 20%. Numerous studies have sought to understand the fundamental photophysical reasons for the exceptional performance of Y6 and its growing family of structural derivatives. Though significant uncertainty about several details remains, many have concluded that initially photogenerated excited states rapidly convert into electron-hole charge pairs in the neat material. These charge pairs are characterized by location of the electron and hole on different Y6 molecules, in contrast to the Frenkel excitons that dominate the behavior of most organic semiconductor materials. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding Y6 photophysics and the key observations that have led to it. We then link this understanding to other advances, such as the role of quadrupolar fields in donor-acceptor blends, and the importance of molecular interactions and organization in providing the structural basis for Y6's properties. Finally, we turn our attention to ways of making use of the new photophysics of Y6, and suggest molecular doping, crystal structure tuning, and electric field engineering as promising avenues for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Hume
- School
of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria
University of Wellington, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
- MacDiarmid
Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| | - Michael B. Price
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Justin M. Hodgkiss
- School
of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria
University of Wellington, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
- MacDiarmid
Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
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Unger F, Lepple D, Asbach M, Craciunescu L, Zeiser C, Kandolf AF, Fišer Z, Hagara J, Hagenlocher J, Hiller S, Haug S, Deutsch M, Grüninger P, Novák J, Bettinger HF, Broch K, Engels B, Schreiber F. Optical Absorption Properties in Pentacene/Tetracene Solid Solutions. J Phys Chem A 2024; 128:747-760. [PMID: 38232326 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c06737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Modifying the optical and electronic properties of crystalline organic thin films is of great interest for improving the performance of modern organic semiconductor devices. Therein, the statistical mixing of molecules to form a solid solution provides an opportunity to fine-tune optical and electronic properties. Unfortunately, the diversity of intermolecular interactions renders mixed organic crystals highly complex, and a holistic picture is still lacking. Here, we report a study of the optical absorption properties in solid solutions of pentacene and tetracene, two prototypical organic semiconductors. In the mixtures, the optical properties can be continuously modified by statistical mixing at the molecular level. Comparison with time-dependent density functional theory calculations on occupationally disordered clusters unravels the electronic origin of the low energy optical transitions. The disorder partially relaxes the selection rules, leading to additional optical transitions that manifest as optical broadening. Furthermore, the contribution of diabatic charge-transfer states is modified in the mixtures, reducing the observed splitting in the 0-0 vibronic transition. Additional comparisons with other blended systems generalize our results and indicate that changes in the polarizability of the molecular environment in organic thin-film blends induce shifts in the absorption spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Unger
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Lepple
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Asbach
- Julius-Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Luca Craciunescu
- Julius-Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS Scotland, U.K
| | - Clemens Zeiser
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas F Kandolf
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zbyněk Fišer
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics (UFKL), Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Hagara
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jan Hagenlocher
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Hiller
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Haug
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marian Deutsch
- Julius-Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Grüninger
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jiří Novák
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics (UFKL), Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Holger F Bettinger
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Broch
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Engels
- Julius-Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Frank Schreiber
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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