Nonfullerene solar cells featuring polythiophenes as donors hold great promises for commercial application, profited from the lowest synthetic complexity and cost. However, the complex phase behaviors of polythiophenes and their blends put constraints on modulating the electrical performance and thus realizing stable solar cells under thermal stress. In this contribution, we were able to realize the record efficiency of over 10% in low-cost and thermally stable polythiophene solar cells with the aid of mixing thermodynamics principles. By thoroughly probing the molecular stacking, orientation, and nanoscale domain structure as a function of heating time, we offered critical fabrication guidelines for the most notable polythiophene P3HT with a range of popular nonfullerene acceptors such as ITIC, IDTBR, and Y6. Chiefly, the P3HT:nonfullerene blend with ordered molecular stacking, the weak vitrification effect and hypo-miscibility of materials produced the best performance and stability. This work is thus instructive for other researchers to rationally fabricate the low-cost and thermally stable solar cells, photodetectors, and beyond.

Guidelines for thermally stable, simple, and efficient polythiophene: Nonfullerene solar cells

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ACS Fall 2022

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