A low-energy-gap organic dye for high-performance small-molecule organic solar cells

J Am Chem Soc. 2011 Oct 12;133(40):15822-5. doi: 10.1021/ja205126t. Epub 2011 Sep 15.

Abstract

A novel donor-acceptor-acceptor (D-A-A) donor molecule, DTDCTB, in which an electron-donating ditolylaminothienyl moiety and an electron-withdrawing dicyanovinylene moiety are bridged by another electron-accepting 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole block, has been synthesized and characterized. A vacuum-deposited organic solar cell employing DTDCTB combined with the electron acceptor C(70) achieved a record-high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.81%. The respectable PCE is attributed to the solar spectral response extending to the near-IR region and the ultracompact absorption dipole stacking of the DTDCTB thin film.