We introduce the concept that free-charge generation in organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials may best be described by <i>competition </i>between long- and short-range electron transfer events, and that the distribution of rates as a function of distance follows the predictions of Marcus theory. Previous work, both from our group and others, have elucidated these individual concepts; none has put them together into a complete model that quantitatively describes novel experimental data and qualitatively agrees with a broad spectrum of past experimental results in the literature, as we do here. Our results reveal the fundamental connection between solution-phase electron transfer research that has been conducted in the chemistry community over many decades, and the younger materials science effort to develop efficient OPV materials. Our model provides insight into how the microstructure of OPV materials influences the electron transfer process via both entropic and quantum-mechanical mechanisms and sets the stage for a fundamental understanding of how donor:acceptor energy-offsets interact with the coulomb binding energy to modulate the yield of free charges and will inform estimates for the ultimate limit of the open-circuit voltage in OPV devices.

Competition<i> </i>between long- and short-range electron transfer in organic photovoltaic (OPV) systems

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Competition between long- and short-range electron transfer in organic photovoltaic (OPV) systems