Hydrogen-Bond-Induced High Performance Semitransparent Ternary Organic Solar Cells with 14% Efficiency and Enhanced Stability

Semitransparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs) have huge potential in terms of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs). However, the inherent contradiction between active layer absorption and average visible-light transmittance (AVT) hinders the follow-up development of ST-OSC. To solve this problem, hydrogen bond strategy has been adopted to simultaneously improve the photon trapping capability and film thickness tolerance of the devices. Here, an organic small molecule material DIBC is introduced into PM6:Y6 system to form an intramolecular hydrogen bond with Y6, through which a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.20% is obtained. It is noted that when the active layer thickness is varied from 70 to 150 nm, the PCE values distributed in the range of 16.39-17.20%, which exhibits excellent film thickness tolerance. Moreover, ST-OSCs are achieved with a maximum PCE of 14% and a high AVT of 21.60%, which is among the best reported results of ST-OSCs. In addition, hydrogen-bond-based ST-OSCs show superior thermal and light stability in the atmospheric environment corresponding to the control devices. This work provides a feasible solution for ST-OSC with outstanding efficiency and high AVT, which is of great significance for the industrial production of BIPVs in the future.

Automated summary

The use of hydrogen bond strategy to enhance photon trapping capability and film thickness tolerance in semitransparent organic solar cells has led to an improved efficiency and visible-light transmittance, providing a feasible solution for industrial production of building integrated photovoltaics in the future.