Asymmetric Acceptor Featuring Fused-Imidazole Central Core Enabling Organic Solar Cells with 19.4% Efficiency

Zhang H, Chai Y, Zhao J, Zhu E, Chen Y, Liu L, Guldi DM (2025)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Advanced Energy Materials Wiley

Article Number: 2500332

DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202500332

Abstract

Manipulating the central cores of non-fullerene acceptors is crucial for enhancing the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). While recent Y-acceptors have leveraged a two-dimensional (2D) π-expansion strategy to incorporate symmetric fused-pyrazine central cores, challenges remain in achieving higher device performance. In this study, BTQT-4F, a novel Y-acceptor with an asymmetric fused-imidazole core is introduced. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the asymmetric geometry causes a molecular dipole moment of ≈8.5 Debye. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms versatile packing modes that establish efficient 3D charge-transport channels. Using BTQT-4F, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.22% with an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.890 V is achieved in PM6:BTQT-4F binary OSCs. Notably, PM6:BTP-eC9:BTQT-4F ternary OSCs realized a PCE of 19.4%, surpassing previously reported efficiencies for OSCs based on 2D π-conjugated Y-acceptors. This work underscores the potential of implementing an asymmetric fused-imidazole central core in pushing the boundaries of the Y-acceptor design, opening avenues for further OSC performance enhancements.

Authors with CRIS profile

Yongqiang Chai Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie I Liping Liu Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie I Dirk Michael Guldi Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie I

Involved external institutions

Jilin Normal University / 吉林师范大学 CN China (CN) Changchun University of Science and Technology CN China (CN) Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) / 中国科学院高能物理研究所 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Zhang, H., Chai, Y., Zhao, J., Zhu, E., Chen, Y., Liu, L., & Guldi, D.M. (2025). Asymmetric Acceptor Featuring Fused-Imidazole Central Core Enabling Organic Solar Cells with 19.4% Efficiency. Advanced Energy Materials. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202500332

MLA:

Zhang, Huihuang, et al. "Asymmetric Acceptor Featuring Fused-Imidazole Central Core Enabling Organic Solar Cells with 19.4% Efficiency." Advanced Energy Materials (2025).

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