Simultaneously enhancing efficiency and thermo-/UV-stability of organic solar cells by regulating the nanomorphology of the polymer blend by an acrylated fullerene derivative

Song H, Dong Y, Zhang Z, Fang J, Yue C, Yang Y, Liu C, Guo Q, Wang H, Luo Q, Li WS, Yan L, Ma CQ, Brabec C (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Chemical Engineering Journal Elsevier

Book Volume: 503

Article Number: 158694

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.158694

Abstract

Optimizing the morphology and vertical phase distribution of the active layers is crucial for organic solar cells (OSCs). This study introduces [6,6]-phenyl-C61-pentyl acrylate (PC61PeA), a cross-linkable acrylated-based fullerene acceptor (FA), as the third component in the PM6:BO-4Cl binary system. The PC61PeA functions as a morphology modulator, which enhances the aggregation of donor and acceptor species while facilitates the separation of BO-4Cl molecules. Additionally, the crosslinking of PC61PeA establishes highly conductive pathways within the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) layers, thereby significantly enhancing the diffusion length of charge carriers and improves charge transport in the BHJ blend. Multiple measurements confirm the accumulation of PC61PeA molecules at the BHJ/MoO3 and BHJ/ZnO interfaces. As a result, the PM6:BO-4Cl:PC61PeA inverted device achieves a notable power conversion efficiency of 18.43 %, surpassing the 16.14 % efficiency of the PM6:BO-4Cl binary device. Importantly, PC61PeA has a notable stabilizing effect on VOC and remarkably enhances the high-temperature (150 ℃) thermal stability and UV-stability of OSCs.

Authors with CRIS profile

Zesheng Zhang Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) (i-MEET) Chao Liu Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) (i-MEET) Christoph Brabec Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) (i-MEET)

Involved external institutions

Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics CN China (CN) Taiyuan University of Technology CN China (CN) Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC) / 中国科学院上海有机化学研究所 CN China (CN) Zhengzhou University / 郑州大学 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Song, H., Dong, Y., Zhang, Z., Fang, J., Yue, C., Yang, Y.,... Brabec, C. (2025). Simultaneously enhancing efficiency and thermo-/UV-stability of organic solar cells by regulating the nanomorphology of the polymer blend by an acrylated fullerene derivative. Chemical Engineering Journal, 503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.158694

MLA:

Song, Haitao, et al. "Simultaneously enhancing efficiency and thermo-/UV-stability of organic solar cells by regulating the nanomorphology of the polymer blend by an acrylated fullerene derivative." Chemical Engineering Journal 503 (2025).

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