De novo design of A-D-A-structured acceptors with a high photoluminescence quantum yield and crystallinity for 20.2%-efficiency organic solar cells
摘要
Designing acceptors with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and high crystallinity is crucial for minimizing non-radiative energy losses (ΔE3) and realizing highly efficient organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, we report three acceptor-donor-acceptor acceptors (GM series) featuring a novel centrally extended structure. Following the structural characteristics of GM2 and GM3, GM4 exhibits a distorted conformation of its central unit that reduces molecular packing density, leading to an enhanced PLQY. Despite its nonplanar geometry, the central unit maintains participation in efficient “C/C” molecular packings. Besides, benefiting from the brominated fused-ring structure, GM4 exhibits decreased energy disorder and enhanced crystallinity. As a result, binary OSCs leveraging GM4 demonstrate a high open-circuit voltage (VOC) and an exceptionally low ΔE3, resulting in a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.5%. When incorporated as a guest acceptor into the D18:L8-BO films, GM4 optimizes the ternary film morphology, enhancing exciton generation and charge transport. Consequently, the D18:L8-BO:GM4 ternary device reached a maximum PCE of 20.2%, with simultaneous improvements in VOC, short-circuit current density, and fill factor. This study not only expands a new molecular design strategy, but also demonstrates that appropriate regulation of molecular packing density is an effective strategy for achieving a high PLQY and crystallinity.