Article
Chemistry, Organic
Bangzheng Yan, Xin Wang, Cetao Hu, Di Wu, Jianlong Xia
Summary: In this work, two PDI derivatives (asymmetrical FPN and symmetrical FNPN) were reported by fusing naphthalene monoimide (NMI) moieties at the bay regions. The optoelectronic characteristics of FPN and FNPN were investigated, and it was found that FPN-based organic solar cells achieved higher power conversion efficiency (PCE).
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Guangrui Shen, Ling Wang, Xia Wu, Peng Yuan, Yumin Tang, Yumeng Chen, Xiao-Chun Hang, Zhi-Kuan Chen, Honghai Zhang, Zhengyi Sun
Summary: Two PDI-based polymeric acceptors were designed and synthesized, and their performance in all-polymer solar cells was compared with an unfused-PDI polymer as a control. The study found that the extended π-conjugation and twisted molecular conformation contributed to the improved performance of the device.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaojie Pan, Jifa Wu, Liangang Xiao, Boonkar Yap, Ruidong Xia, Xiaobin Peng
Summary: Three small moleculer acceptors were synthesized with different side chains, and the bulk heterojunction organic solar cells based on these acceptors and a polymer donor showed different power conversion efficiencies after adding pyridine additives. Among them, devices based on Por-PDI exhibited the best performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aline Makhloutah, Anderson Hoff, Antoine Goujon, Gregory C. Welch, Pietrick Hudhomme
Summary: In this study, a series of AzaBenzannulated PDI (AzaBPDI) multimers were synthesized and their potential as non-fullerene acceptors in bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells was investigated. The AzaBPDI dimers and trimer were easily prepared through a one-pot sequence of reactions. The AzaBPDI showed strong visible-light absorption and suitable LUMO energy levels, making them promising electron acceptors for organic solar cells. The combination of AzaBPDI with the donor polymer PM6 resulted in high device open-circuit voltages, demonstrating the potential of AzaBPDI for high-performance fullerene-free photovoltaics.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baitian He, Longfei Liu, Yan Liu, Guiting Chen, Manjun Xiao, Chuanbo Dai
Summary: In this study, a series of NDI-based terpolymer acceptors were synthesized by adding a small amount of DCB unit to the NDI-based polymer acceptor N2200 through random copolymerization. PNDI5 and PNDI10 showed better crystallization and miscibility with PBDB-T compared to the terpolymer based on DCB-free N2200. Moreover, the PNDI5-based device exhibited a higher PCE and an enhanced FF in all-PSCs.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lei Wang, Ming Hu, Xia Liu, Youdi Zhang, Yue Liu, Zhongyi Yuan, Xiaohong Zhao, Yu Hu, Yiwang Chen
Summary: Incorporating fused perylene diimides (PDIs) into the polymer backbone reduces molecule aggregation, but lowers the open-circuit voltage (V-OC). By using a fused PDI dimer (TBDPDI) as an acceptor (A) block, polymers with high LUMO energy levels were constructed. The PTB7-Th:P(TBDPDI-TT) device showed better charge transport, balanced carrier mobility, reduced exciton recombination loss, and favorable film morphology, resulting in higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to PTB7-Th:P(TBDPDI-FTT).
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ke Xu, Juan Hu, Kaihong Lu, Mingliang Wu, Huan Lu, Jianing Yi, Di Wu, Jianlong Xia
Summary: The study explored the use of ethylene-fused PDI oligomers as alternative building blocks and designed the TPE-4PDI2 non-fullerene acceptor with high photovoltaic conversion efficiency. The results suggest that PDI2 is a promising building block for constructing high-performance NFAs and provide an effective molecular design method to enhance the PCE of PDI-based non-fullerene OSCs.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Doan Vu, Martyn Jevric, Jonas M. Bjuggren, Chao Wang, Xun Pan, Lars Thomsen, Eliot Gann, Mats R. Andersson, Christopher R. McNeill
Summary: Controlling the aggregation and crystallinity of semiconducting polymers can improve the photovoltaic performance of all-polymer solar cells. However, reducing aggregation and crystallinity does not always result in favorable blend morphology or guarantee improvement in the photovoltaic performance.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Min Deng, Guangjun Zhang, Liyang Yu, Xiaopeng Xu, Qiang Peng
Summary: In this study, the development of non-covalent interaction as a strategy for connecting PDI arms to the center core of propeller-like PDI derivatives was demonstrated, leading to fine tuning of the aggregation tendency of the PDI derivative and achieving outstanding power conversion efficiency. The results obtained suggest the potential for achieving high efficiency in PDI-based PSCs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinyuan Liu, Rong Wang, Bin Wang, Mengmeng Zheng, Ruizhe Yang, Xingwang Zhu, Yanhua Song, Ming Cheng, Hui Xu, Huaming Li
Summary: This study successfully fabricated a series of perylene diimide/mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride all-organic composites with spatial stereostructure via in-situ electrostatic assembly. The composites exhibited outstanding light absorption properties and efficient separation and migration abilities of photocarriers, providing ideas for constructing organic catalysts with high photocatalytic performance.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xuanlai Zong, Hemraj Dahiya, Yuting Song, Xu Liang, Sarvesh Kumar Pandey, Haijun Xu, Ganesh D. Sharma
Summary: In this study, two new star-shaped perylene diimide (PDI)-based small-molecule acceptors, BDP-3PDI and BDP-4PDI, were successfully synthesized and their photophysical and electrochemical properties were investigated. When combined with a compatible D-A polymer donor P(BTT-DPP), the polymer solar cells achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of approximately 10.97% and 13.94% for BDP-3PDI and BDP-4PDI, respectively.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giacomo Forti, Robert M. Pankow, Fei Qin, Yongjoon Cho, Brendan Kerwin, Isaiah Duplessis, Andrea Nitti, Seonghun Jeong, Changduk Yang, Antonio Facchetti, Dario Pasini, Tobin J. Marks
Summary: Researchers synthesized three new polymer acceptors P1-P3 and co-polymerized them with high-efficiency acceptor units (NDI, Y6, and IDIC) using a scalable donor fragment ADT to fabricate efficient APSCs. Although the APSCs fabricated by blending P1, P2, and P3 with donor polymers PM5 and PM6 exhibited modest power conversion efficiencies, these APSCs demonstrated the feasibility of using ADT as a scalable and inexpensive electron-rich/donor building block for APSCs.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xiaoxiao You, Ping Xia, Yu Li, Di Wu, Jianlong Xia
Summary: The study demonstrates that ring-fusion is a feasible design strategy to improve the photovoltaic performance of perylene diimide (PDI) based non-fullerene acceptors by affecting the conjugation degree of the central core. Specifically, the experiment results show that the non-fused NFA exhibits higher power conversion efficiency in organic solar cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cetao Hu, Sixuan Zhang, Mingliang Wu, Xingyu Chen, Jingwen Xu, Hao Shen, Huan Wang, Di Wu, Jianlong Xia
Summary: This study presents the design and synthesis of a propeller-shaped PDI hexamer T-DPDI, which exhibits superior photovoltaic performance in organic solar cells due to its stronger absorption and more favorable morphology, achieved by hybridizing the direct and indirect linkage manners of PDI units.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Miao Li, Lisi Yang, Yuanyuan Zhou, Yahui Liu, Jinsheng Song, Hua Wang, Zhishan Bo
Summary: The study focuses on the design of PDI acceptor with a saddle-shaped COTh core to enhance charge transport abilities, leading to improved power conversion efficiency in polymer solar cells. The combination of saddle feature and large pi-extension in COTh-FPDI results in balanced mobility and favorable morphology, contributing to increased device performance and stability in photovoltaic applications.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhenyu Chen, Jinfeng Ge, Yuntong Guo, Mengyu Zhao, Jingyu Shi, Yi Qiu, Erjun Zhou, Ziyi Ge
Summary: This study synthesized four efficient non-fullerene acceptors by modifying the quinoxaline core, which showed improved molecular solubility and elevated lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels. The introduction of a thiophene ring and a fluorine atom further optimized the blend morphology and enhanced device performance.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jialing Zhou, Qing Guo, Bao Zhang, Si-Xuan Cheng, Xiao-Tao Hao, Yufei Zhong, Ailing Tang, Xiangnan Sun, Erjun Zhou
Summary: A novel photovoltaic polymer with enhanced performance by introducing sulfur atoms and the effect of multi-step solvent extraction strategy on polymer performance were investigated.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Peiqing Cong, Zongtao Wang, Yanfang Geng, Yuhan Meng, Chao Meng, Lie Chen, Ailing Tang, Erjun Zhou
Summary: This review focuses on the structure characteristics, evolution, and device development of 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BT)-based p-type polymers, which have played a significant role in constructing photovoltaic materials. It discusses the milestones achieved by representative BT-based polymers and how polymer structures affect optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic performance. The importance of designing new BT-derived building blocks and understanding fundamental photoelectron conversion mechanisms is also emphasized.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jinfeng Ge, Zhenyu Chen, Qinrui Ye, Lin Xie, Wei Song, Yuntong Guo, Jinna Zhang, Xinyu Tong, Jianqi Zhang, Erjun Zhou, Zhixiang Wei, Ziyi Ge
Summary: There is a dilemma between strong N-N stacking/crystallinity and suitable domain size in all-small-molecule organic solar cells (ASM-OSCs), which requires careful design of molecular donors. A series of novel molecular donors with different 2-ethylhexy (EH) attachments were designed and synthesized. EH-substitution on end groups (SM-REH) improved N-N interaction and crystallinity but reduced solubility and phase size, resulting in higher efficiency. In contrast, EH-substitution on the N bridge (SM-EH-R) suppressed N-N stacking and increased solubility, leading to lower efficiency. Further EH substitution on end-groups of SM-EH-R, namely SM-EH-REH, recovered N-N stacking strength and achieved moderate efficiency.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Mengwei Ji, Chuanqi Dong, Qing Guo, Mengzhen Du, Qiang Guo, Xiangnan Sun, Ergang Wang, Erjun Zhou
Summary: Organic solar cells (OSCs) have made significant progress due to the development of wide bandgap electron donors and narrow bandgap non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). Thiazole (Tz) and its derived fused heterocycles have been widely used to construct photovoltaic materials, especially conjugated polymers. These Tz-containing heterocycles have favorable characteristics such as electron deficiency, rigidity, high planarity, and enhanced intra/intermolecular interactions, leading to excellent photovoltaic performance.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ailing Tang, Peiqing Cong, Tingting Dai, Zongtao Wang, Erjun Zhou
Summary: The A(2)-A(1)-D-A(1)-A(2)-type nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) have higher molecular energy levels and wider optical bandgaps compared to other NFAs, making them suitable for high-voltage organic photovoltaics (OPVs), ternary OPVs, and indoor OPVs. This review summarizes the recent progress in the molecular engineering, structure-property relationships, voltage loss, device stability, and photovoltaic performance of binary, ternary, and indoor OPVs based on A(2)-A(1)-D-A(1)-A(2)-type NFAs. The challenges and future prospects for the further development of this type of NFAs are also discussed.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiangyu Li, Ailing Tang, Helin Wang, Zongtao Wang, Mengzhen Du, Qiang Guo, Qing Guo, Erjun Zhou
Summary: In this study, 3D-structured molecules were introduced as guest acceptors to improve the photovoltaic performance of ternary organic solar cells (OSCs). Three four-arm molecules were successfully synthesized and added to the classical system, resulting in ultra-high power-conversion efficiencies. These molecules acted as energy donors to increase charge generation and also enhanced charge transfer between PM6 and the molecules. Introducing these molecules modified the molecular energy level and inhibited self-aggregation, reducing energy loss and balancing charge transport.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuhan Meng, Tingting Dai, Jialing Zhou, Helin Wang, Ailing Tang, Yanfang Geng, Erjun Zhou
Summary: This study designed a wide-band-gap small molecule Cl-Qx3b and clarified the effect of halogen atoms on the photovoltaic property. Chlorination was found to show lower nonradiative voltage loss, while fluorination exhibited suppressed charge carrier recombination.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongbo Wu, Zaifei Ma, Mengyang Li, Hao Lu, Ailing Tang, Erjun Zhou, Jin Wen, Yanming Sun, Wolfgang Tress, Jogvan Magnus Haugaard Olsen, Simone Meloni, Zhishan Bo, Zheng Tang
Summary: Donor halogenation improves the performance of organic solar cells by increasing the energy of the charge transfer state and reducing reorganization energy. The impact of donor halogenation varies depending on the acceptor type, with stronger effects observed for Y-series acceptors. Halogen substitution on side groups of the donor molecule is more effective in reducing voltage losses.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zongtao Wang, Helin Wang, Mengzheng Du, Xue Lai, Feng He, Qing Guo, Qiang Guo, Ailing Tang, Xiangnan Sun, Erjun Zhou
Summary: A fused NDTI derivative is used as a cathode interlayer material in organic solar cells, showing excellent film-forming capacity and strong crystallinity. The NDTI-based solar cells achieve a high power conversion efficiency using different active layer materials and exhibit good stability.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peiqing Cong, Xianda Li, Ailing Tang, Jiang Wu, Jianhua Chen, Lie Chen, Erjun Zhou
Summary: In this study, an asymmetric small molecule nonfullerene acceptor was synthesized through chlorination on one side, resulting in a large dipole moment, close molecular packing, and high-efficiency charge transfer and transport. When blended with a carboxylate-based polymer donor, the acceptor achieved a high open-circuit voltage and a satisfactory power conversion efficiency, reaching some of the highest values for carboxylate-based polymers.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zehua He, Tingting Dai, Ting Meng, Peng Lei, Yanfang Geng, Linjiao Qin, Jiang Wu, Jiagui Yu, Qingdao Zeng, Erjun Zhou
Summary: By attaching different side chains onto the IDTT unit through side chain engineering, the molecular packing and morphology of the polymers can be effectively modulated, leading to improved charge generation and transport properties. This results in higher power conversion efficiency for IDTT-based polymers.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiang Guo, Yuanjia Ding, Zheng Dai, Zongwei Chen, Mengzhen Du, Zongtao Wang, Lei Gao, Chen Duan, Qing Guo, Erjun Zhou
Summary: Wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have adjustable bandgap, low-cost fabrication and superior photovoltaic performance, making them a promising top-cell for multi-junction solar cells. This study demonstrates that by introducing cesium formate (CsFa) as the Cs precursor, WBG PSCs show improved perovskite crystallization, reduced trap-state density, and better phase stability, leading to higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) under one sun illumination and indoor LED light illumination.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mengzhen Du, Yuzhang Xiao, Yanfang Geng, You Chen, Hai Jiang, Chuanqi Dong, Qiang Guo, Qing Guo, Gongqiang Li, Erjun Zhou
Summary: Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a low-cost photovoltaic polymer that has been considered as a potential donor material for commercial applications. To enhance the photovoltaic performance of P3HT, various non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), including A(2)-A(1)-D-A(1)-A(2) type molecules with one electron-donating (D) unit and two electron-withdrawing (A) units, have been designed. In this study, two novel A(2)-A(1)-D-A(1)-A(2) type NFAs BTA46 and BTA47 were synthesized using indacenodiselenophene (IDSe) and benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole (BTA) as the central D part and bridged A(1) unit, respectively. The P3HT:BTA47 blend demonstrates a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.12% compared to the P3HT:BTA46 blend with an inferior PCE of 3.99%. Detailed analysis suggests that IDSe is a promising central core for A(2)-A(1)-D-A(1)-A(2) type NFAs to combine with P3HT.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jialing Zhou, Peng Lei, Yanfang Geng, Zehua He, Xianda Li, Qingdao Zeng, Ailing Tang, Erjun Zhou
Summary: Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are a promising technology for indoor low-energy-consumption portable electronic equipment. In this study, researchers developed a new two-dimensional polymer, PE6, which showed lower voltage loss and higher power conversion efficiency compared to other photovoltaic polymers. These findings provide valuable insights for the future development of OPVs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)