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Steric Hindrance Induced Low Exciton Binding Energy Enables Low-Driving-Force Organic Solar Cells
  • +9
  • Tianyu Hu,
  • Xufan Zheng,
  • Ting Wang,
  • Bowen Gao,
  • Jingnan Wu,
  • Jingyi Xiong,
  • Ming Wan,
  • Tingting Cong,
  • Yuda Li,
  • Ergang Wang,
  • Xunchang Wang,
  • Renqiang Yang
Tianyu Hu
Jianghan University Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Xufan Zheng
Jianghan University Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices
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Ting Wang
Jianghan University Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices
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Bowen Gao
Wuhan Institute of Technology Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemistry Technology
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Jingnan Wu
Chalmers tekniska hogskola Institutionen for Kemi och kemiteknik
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Jingyi Xiong
Wuhan Institute of Technology Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemistry Technology
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Ming Wan
Jianghan University Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices
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Tingting Cong
Jianghan University Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices
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Yuda Li
Wuhan Institute of Technology Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemistry Technology
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Ergang Wang
Chalmers tekniska hogskola Institutionen for Kemi och kemiteknik
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Xunchang Wang
Jianghan University Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices
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Renqiang Yang
Jianghan University Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices
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Abstract

Exciton binding energy ( E b) has been regarded as a critical parameter in charge separation during photovoltaic conversion. Minimizing the E b of the photovoltaic materials can facilitate the exciton dissociation in low-driving force organic solar cells (OSCs) and thus improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE), nevertheless, diminishing the E b with deliberate design principles remains a significant challenge. Herein, bulky side chain as steric hindrance structure was inserted into Y-series acceptors to minimize the E b by modulating the intra- and inter-molecular interaction. Theoretical and experimental results indicate that steric hindrance-induced weaker intra-molecular interactions but stronger inter-molecular interaction can strengthen the molecular polarizability, increase the overlap of electronic orbitals between molecules and facilitate delocalized pathway charge transfer, thereby resulting in a low E b. The conspicuously reduced E b obtained in Y-ChC5 with pinpoint steric hindrance modulation can minimize the detrimental effects on exciton dissociation in low-driving-force OSCs, achieving a remarkable PCE of 19.1% with over 95% internal quantum efficiency. Our study provides a new molecular design rationale to reduce the exciton binding energy.
01 Apr 2024Submitted to Aggregate
07 Apr 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Apr 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Apr 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
18 May 20241st Revision Received
18 May 2024Submission Checks Completed
18 May 2024Assigned to Editor
18 May 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 May 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 May 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
05 Jun 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned