Double-Cable Conjugated Polymers with Pendent Near-Infrared Electron Acceptors for Single-Component Organic Solar Cells

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2022 Aug 26;61(35):e202209316. doi: 10.1002/anie.202209316. Epub 2022 Jul 18.

Abstract

Double-cable conjugated polymers with near-infrared (NIR) electron acceptors are synthesized for use in single-component organic solar cells (SCOSCs). Through the development of a judicious synthetic pathway, the highly sensitive nature of the 2-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydroinden-1-ylidene)malononitrile (IC)-based electron acceptors in basic and protonic solvents is overcome. In addition, an asymmetric design motif is adopted to optimize the packing of donor and acceptor segments, enhancing charge separation efficiency. As such, the new double-cable polymers are successfully applied in SCOSCs, providing an efficiency of over 10 % with a broad photo response from 300 to 850 nm and exhibiting excellent thermal/light stability. These results demonstrate the powerful design of NIR-acceptor-based double-cable polymers and will enable SCOSCs to enter a new stage.

Keywords: Double-Cable Conjugated Polymers; Electron Acceptors; Near Infrared; Single Component; Solar Cells.