Ultra Robust and Highly Efficient Flexible Organic Solar Cells with Over 18 % Efficiency Realized by Incorporating a Linker Dimerized Acceptor

Abstract

The wearable application of flexible organic solar cells (f‐OSCs) necessitates high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and mechanical robustness. However, photoactive films based on efficient non‐fullerene small molecule acceptors (NF‐SMAs) are typically brittle, leading to poor mechanical stability in devices. In this study, we achieved a remarkable PCE of 18.06% in f‐OSCs while maintaining ultrahigh mechanical robustness (with a crack‐onset strain (COS) of higher than 11%) by incorporating a linker dimerized acceptor (DOY‐TVT). Compared to binary blends, ternary systems exhibit reduced non‐radiative recombination, suppressed crystallization and diffusion of NF‐SMAs, and improved load distribution across the chain networks, enabling the dissipation of the load energy. Thus, the ternary f‐OSCs developed in this study achieved, high PCE and stability, surpassing binary OSCs. Moreover, the developed f‐OSCs retained 97% of the initial PCE even after 3000 bending cycles, indicating excellent mechanical stability (9.1% higher than binary systems).Furthermore, the rigid device with inverted structure based on the optimal active layer exhibited a substantial increase in efficiency retention, with 89.6% after 865 h at 85°C and 93% after more than 1300 h of shelf storage at 25°C. These findings highlight the potential of the linker oligomer acceptor for realizing high‐performing f‐OSCs with ultrahigh mechanical robustness.

Recent progress and prospects of dimer and multimer acceptors for efficient and stable polymer solar cells

“…These advantages have led to recent successful examples of the Y-based DSMAs and OSMAs. 42,72,73,109 Fig. 3 summarizes the progress in photovoltaic performance of PSCs using different types of dimer and multimer acceptors during the past years.…”

Terpolymer Containing a meta-Octyloxy-phenyl-Modified Dithieno[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline Unit Enabling Efficient Organic Solar Cells

“…However, fullerene-based devices have relatively low power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) due to their weak visible light absorption and the difficulty of light absorption and energy level regulation . With the rapid development of highly efficient small molecule electron-acceptor (SMA) materials such as ITIC, Y6, and especially multitudinous Y6-based derivatives in recent years, − up until now, above 19–20% PCEs have been successfully achieved in OSCs with changed materials and tuned device structures. However, at present, only several polymers like PM6, D18, and PTQ10, having complemental absorption regions and suitable energy levels, can realize compelling photovoltaic performances with Y6-type acceptors. − Therefore, finding and preparing new polymer electron donors is significant in further promoting the performance of OSCs.…”

The Asymmetric Strategy of Small‐Molecule Materials for Organic Solar Cells

“…As a new-generation energy conversion technology, organic solar cells (OSCs) have attracted great attention in recent decades owing to their unique advantages like low cost, light weight, high power-per-weight, mechanical flexibility, and semi-transparency, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] which show versatile application in portable charging, wearable electronics, building-integrated photovoltaics, etc. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] To date, the power conversion efficiency DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202304242 (PCE) of OSCs has reached to 19.6% in single junction devices and over 20% in tandem devices.…”