Nanoscale Phase Separation and High Photovoltaic Efficiency in Solution‐Processed, Small‐Molecule Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

Abstract Research relating to organic solar cells based on solution‐processed, bulk heterojunction (BHJ) films has been dominated by polymeric donor materials, as they typically have better film‐forming characteristics and film morphology than their small‐molecule counterparts. Despite these morphological advantages, semiconducting polymers suffer from synthetic reproducibility and difficult purification procedures, which hinder their commercial viability. Here, a non‐polymeric, diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based donor material that can be solution processed with a fullerene acceptor to produce good quality films is reported. Thermal annealing leads to suitable phase separation and material distribution so that highly…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy
• OO
  Office of Naval Research