Reducing Non‐Radiative Voltage Losses by Methylation of Push–Pull Molecular Donors in Organic Solar Cells

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Organic solar cells are approaching power conversion efficiencies of other thin-film technologies. However, in order to become truly market competitive, the still substantial voltage losses need to be reduced. Here, the synthesis and characterization of four novel arylamine-based push-pull molecular donors was described, two of them exhibiting a methyl group at the para-position of the external phenyl ring of the arylamine block. Assessing the charge-transfer state properties and the effects of methylation on the open-circuit voltage of the device showed that devices based on methylated versions of the molecular donors exhibited reduced voltage losses due to decreased non-radiative recombination. Modelling suggested that methylation resulted in a tighter interaction between donor and acceptor molecules, turning into a larger oscillator strength to the charge-transfer states, thereby ensuing reduced non-radiative decay rates.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3622-3631
Number of pages10
JournalChemSusChem
Volume14
Issue number17
Publication statusPublished - 6 Sept 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85108801876
Mendeley e659b0f9-1ff6-3d2f-bd34-dde85acf57be

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals