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Park C, Xuyao S, Ham G, Bae K, Lim C, Park S, Kim YY, Lee J, Jo S, Kwon SK, Kim BJ, Kim YH, Cha H. Impact of meta- and para-Direction External Side Chains in Y-Series Acceptors on the Molecular Packing and Charge Carrier Dynamics of Organic Photovoltaics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2025; 17:6648-6658. [PMID: 39879082 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c17649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2025]
Abstract
The side-chain directions in nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) strongly influence the intermolecular interactions in NFAs; however, the influence of these side chains on the morphologies and charge carrier dynamics of Y6-based acceptors remains underexplored. In this study, we synthesize four distinct Y6-based acceptors, i.e., meta-HOP-Y6-F (mF), meta-HOP-Y6-Cl (mCl), para-HOP-Y6-F (pF), and para-HOP-Y6-Cl (pCl), with outer side chains of alkoxy-2-ethylhexyl attached at the meta or para positions. Devices containing the meta-position acceptors blended with the polymer donor PM6 achieve power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) at least 1.27-fold higher than those of devices containing para-position acceptors. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the formation of donor-acceptor domains that are advantageous for charge carrier generation, transport, and collection. This is due to variations in phase aggregation that result from steric hindrance effects at the meta- and para-position acceptors. As a result, meta-position acceptors with lower steric hindrance improved π-π and lamellar stacking, whereas the para-position acceptors encountered excessive steric hindrance, reducing their photovoltaic efficiencies. Additionally, the meta-position acceptors demonstrate long charge carrier lifetimes, which suppress recombination in the charge transfer state and promote efficient charge separation. These results underline the critical role of side-chain direction in optimizing Y6-based acceptors for improving photovoltaic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwoo Park
- Department of Hydrogen and Renewable Energy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Song Xuyao
- Department of Chemistry and RIMA, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Gayoung Ham
- Department of Energy Convergence and Climate Change, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Kihyun Bae
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Chulhee Lim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghun Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Yong Kim
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Junyeong Lee
- School of Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungjin Jo
- School of Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Ki Kwon
- Department of Chemistry and RIMA, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Bumjoon J Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Hi Kim
- Department of Chemistry and RIMA, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojung Cha
- Department of Hydrogen and Renewable Energy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Department of Energy Convergence and Climate Change, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
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Liu H, Geng Y, Xiao Z, Ding L, Du J, Tang A, Zhou E. The Development of Quinoxaline-Based Electron Acceptors for High Performance Organic Solar Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2404660. [PMID: 38890789 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202404660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
In the recent advances of organic solar cells (OSCs), quinoxaline (Qx)-based nonfullerene acceptors (QxNFAs) have attracted lots of attention and enabled the recorded power conversion efficiency approaching 20%. As an excellent electron-withdrawing unit, Qx possesses advantages of many modifiable sites, wide absorption range, low reorganization energy, and so on. To develop promising QxNFAs to further enhance the photovoltaic performance of OSCs, it is necessary to systematically summarize the QxNFAs reported so far. In this review, all the focused QxNFAs are classified into five categories as following: SM-Qx, YQx, fused-YQx, giant-YQx, and polymer-Qx according to the molecular skeletons. The molecular design concepts, relationships between the molecular structure and optoelectronic properties, intrinsic mechanisms of device performance are discussed in detail. At the end, the advantages of this kind of materials are summed up, the molecular develop direction is prospected, the challenges faced by QxNFAs are given, and constructive solutions to the existing problems are advised. Overall, this review presents unique viewpoints to conquer the challenge of QxNFAs and thus boost OSCs development further toward commercial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxing Liu
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yanfang Geng
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Zuo Xiao
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Liming Ding
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jimin Du
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, Henan Province, 455002, China
| | - Ailing Tang
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Erjun Zhou
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
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Abid Z, Ali L, Gulzar S, Wahad F, Ashraf RS, Nielsen CB. Quinoxaline derivatives as attractive electron-transporting materials. Beilstein J Org Chem 2023; 19:1694-1712. [PMID: 38025084 PMCID: PMC10644009 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.19.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in electron transport materials derived from quinoxaline, along with their applications in various electronic devices. We focus on their utilization in organic solar cells (OSCs), dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), organic-light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and other organic electronic technologies. Notably, the potential of quinoxaline derivatives as non-fullerene acceptors in OSCs, auxiliary acceptors and bridging materials in DSSCs, and n-type semiconductors in transistor devices is discussed in detail. Additionally, their significance as thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters and chromophores for OLEDs, sensors and electrochromic devices is explored. The review emphasizes the remarkable characteristics and versatility of quinoxaline derivatives in electron transport applications. Furthermore, ongoing research efforts aimed at enhancing their performance and addressing key challenges in various applications are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Abid
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Liaqat Ali
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sughra Gulzar
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Faiza Wahad
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Raja Shahid Ashraf
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Christian B Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Can A, Deneme I, Demirel G, Usta H. Solution-Processable Indenofluorenes on Polymer Brush Interlayer: Remarkable N-Channel Field-Effect Transistor Characteristics under Ambient Conditions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:41666-41679. [PMID: 37582254 PMCID: PMC10485804 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The development of solution-processable n-type molecular semiconductors that exhibit high electron mobility (μe ≥ 0.5 cm2/(V·s)) under ambient conditions, along with high current modulation (Ion/Ioff ≥ 106-107) and near-zero turn on voltage (Von) characteristics, has lagged behind that of other semiconductors in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Here, we report the design, synthesis, physicochemical and optoelectronic characterizations, and OFET performances of a library of solution-processable, low-LUMO (-4.20 eV) 2,2'-(2,8-bis(3-alkylthiophen-2-yl)indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-6,12-diylidene)dimalononitrile small molecules, β,β'-Cn-TIFDMTs, having varied alkyl chain lengths (n = 8, 12, 16). An intriguing correlation is identified between the solid-isotropic liquid transition enthalpies and the solubilities, indicating that cohesive energetics, which are tuned by alkyl chains, play a pivotal role in determining solubility. The semiconductors were spin-coated under ambient conditions on densely packed (grafting densities of 0.19-0.45 chains/nm2) ultrathin (∼3.6-6.6 nm) polystyrene-brush surfaces. It is demonstrated that, on this polymer interlayer, thermally induced dispersive interactions occurring over a large number of methylene units between flexible alkyl chains (i.e., zipper effect) are critical to achieve a favorable thin-film crystallization with a proper microstructure and morphology for efficient charge transport. While C8 and C16 chains show a minimal zipper effect upon thermal annealing, C12 chains undergo an extended interdigitation involving ∼6 methylene units. This results in the formation of large crystallites having lamellar stacking ((100) coherence length ∼30 nm) in the out-of-plane direction and highly favorable in-plane π-interactions in a slipped-stacked arrangement. Uninterrupted microstructural integrity (i.e., no face-on (010)-oriented crystallites) was found to be critical to achieving high mobilities. The excellent crystallinity of the C12-substituted semiconductor thin film was also evident in the observed crystal lattice vibrations (phonons) at 58 cm-1 in low-frequency Raman scattering. Two-dimensional micrometer-sized (∼1-3 μm), sharp-edged plate-like grains lying parallel with the substrate plane were observed. OFETs fabricated by the current small molecules showed excellent n-channel behavior in ambient with μe values reaching ∼0.9 cm2/(V·s), Ion/Ioff ∼ 107-108, and Von ≈ 0 V. Our study not only demonstrates one of the highest performing n-channel OFET devices reported under ambient conditions via solution processing but also elucidates significant relationships among chemical structures, molecular properties, self-assembly from solution into a thin film, and semiconducting thin-film properties. The design rationales presented herein may open up new avenues for the development of high-electron-mobility novel electron-deficient indenofluorene and short-axis substituted donor-acceptor π-architectures via alkyl chain engineering and interface engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Can
- Department
of Nanotechnology Engineering, Abdullah
Gül University, 38080 Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Deneme
- Department
of Nanotechnology Engineering, Abdullah
Gül University, 38080 Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Demirel
- Bio-inspired
Materials Research Laboratory (BIMREL), Department of Chemistry, Gazi University, 06500 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hakan Usta
- Department
of Nanotechnology Engineering, Abdullah
Gül University, 38080 Kayseri, Turkey
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Optoelectronic and DFT investigation of thienylenevinylene based materials for thin film transistors. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Ma S, Zhang H, Feng K, Guo X. Polymer Acceptors for High-Performance All-Polymer Solar Cells. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202200222. [PMID: 35266214 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202200222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
All-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their pronounced advantages of excellent mechanical flexibility/stretchability and greatly enhanced device stability as compared to other types of organic solar cells (OSCs). Thanks to the extensive research efforts dedicated to the development of polymer acceptors, all-PSCs have achieved remarkable improvement of photovoltaic performance, recently. This review summarizes the recent progress of polymer acceptors based on the key electron-deficient building blocks, which include bithiophene imide (BTI) derivatives, boron-nitrogen coordination bond (B←N)-incorporated (hetero)arenes, cyano-functionalized (hetero)arenes, and fused-ring electron acceptors (FREAs). In addition, single-component-based all-PSCs are also briefly discussed. The structure-property correlations of polymer acceptors are elaborated in detail. Finally, we offer our insights into the development of new electron-deficient building blocks with further optimized properties and the polymers built from them for efficient all-PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suxiang Ma
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Kui Feng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, P. R. China.,Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Xugang Guo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, P. R. China.,Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Oxide Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, P. R. China
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