Toward Additive-Free Small-Molecule Organic Solar Cells: Roles of the Donor Crystallization Pathway and Dynamics

Adv Mater. 2015 Dec 2;27(45):7285-92. doi: 10.1002/adma.201503395. Epub 2015 Sep 29.

Abstract

The ease with which small-molecule donors crystallize during solution processing is directly linked to the need for solvent additives. Donor molecules that get trapped in disordered (H1) or liquid crystalline (T1) mesophases require additive processing to promote crystallization, phase separation, and efficient light harvesting. A donor material (X2) that crystallizes directly from solution yields additive-free solar cells with an efficiency of 7.6%.

Keywords: additive-free solar cells; bulk heterojunction solar cells; flash DSC; small molecules; solvent additives.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Crystallization
  • Fullerenes / chemistry
  • Liquid Crystals / chemistry
  • Organic Chemicals / chemistry*
  • Solar Energy*
  • Thiadiazoles / chemistry
  • Thiophenes / chemistry

Substances

  • Fullerenes
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Thiadiazoles
  • Thiophenes