Fused nonacyclic electron acceptors for efficient polymer solar cells

Shuixing Dai, Fuwen Zhao, Qianqian Zhang, Tsz Ki Lau, Tengfei Li, Kuan Liu, Qidan Ling, Chunru Wang, Xinhui Lu, Wei You, Xiaowei Zhan

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

772 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We design and synthesize four fused-ring electron acceptors based on 6,6,12,12-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-indacenobis(dithieno[3,2-b;2',3'-d]thiophene) as the electron-rich unit and 1,1-dicyanomethylene-3-indanones with 0-2 fluorine substituents as the electron-deficient units. These four molecules exhibit broad (550-850 nm) and strong absorption with high extinction coefficients of (2.1-2.5) × 105 M-1 cm-1. Fluorine substitution downshifts the LUMO energy level, red-shifts the absorption spectrum, and enhances electron mobility. The polymer solar cells based on the fluorinated electron acceptors exhibit power conversion efficiencies as high as 11.5%, much higher than that of their nonfluorinated counterpart (7.7%). We investigate the effects of the fluorine atom number and position on electronic properties, charge transport, film morphology, and photovoltaic properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1336-1343
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume139
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jan 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fused nonacyclic electron acceptors for efficient polymer solar cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this