Ink-state preaggregation control enables scalable and automated fabrication of highly efficient and stable organic photovoltaics

Tang H, Hu D, Wang R, Li Y, Huang P, Lv J, Zhang Z, He Y, Osterrieder T, Marengo M, Li H, Liu H, Zhao L, Chen Q, Huang J, Lu X, Yang YM, De Wolf S, Lee DJ, Li G, Lüer L, Laquai F, Brabec C (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Science Advances American Association for the Advancement of Science

Book Volume: 12

Pages Range: eaea6522-

Journal Issue: 9

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aea6522

Abstract

Scalability and automation are critical for advancing organic solar cells (OSCs) toward high-throughput production, yet both remain notable challenges. Here, we report a simple yet effective strategy using Tz6T as a multifunctional additive to regulate ink-state preaggregation to address both concerns. Tz6T interacts with both donor and acceptor molecules in ink, enabling improved and more ordered preaggregation. This facilitates uniform film formation and significantly reduces bimolecular recombination, enables 16.4% efficiency large-area green solvent-processed OSC modules (19.3 cm2), ranking it among the best reported values to date. Furthermore, the preagggregated ink mitigates the morphology drift caused by time delays in preprogrammed robotic fabrication, yielding device efficiency exceeding 16%, highlighting strong potential for high-throughput production. Beyond efficiency, Tz6T also enhances long-term stability and exhibits compatibility across diverse material systems, underscoring its broad applicability. This work offers a promising pathway for accelerating the translation toward sustainable, scalable, and automated fabricable high-performance and stable OSCs, paving the way for their industrialization.

Authors with CRIS profile

Hua Tang Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Rong Wang Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Zesheng Zhang Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Tobias Osterrieder Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Larry Lüer Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Christoph Brabec Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET)

Involved external institutions

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) / جامعة الملك عبد الله للعلوم و التقنية SA Saudi Arabia (SA) Sichuan University (SCU) / 四川大学 CN China (CN) The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) CN China (CN) Zhejiang University / Chekiang University / 浙江大学 CN China (CN) City University of Hong Kong (CityU) CN China (CN) Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) CN China (CN) Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Tang, H., Hu, D., Wang, R., Li, Y., Huang, P., Lv, J.,... Brabec, C. (2026). Ink-state preaggregation control enables scalable and automated fabrication of highly efficient and stable organic photovoltaics. Science Advances, 12(9), eaea6522-. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aea6522

MLA:

Tang, Hua, et al. "Ink-state preaggregation control enables scalable and automated fabrication of highly efficient and stable organic photovoltaics." Science Advances 12.9 (2026): eaea6522-.

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