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Program Scientific Program
POS5-0838

Core-Linked Star-Shaped Trimer Design Enables Highly Stretchable and Efficient Organic Solar Cells

When and Where

Nov 30, -0001   00:00 - 00:00

Presenter(s)

Kihyun Bae (KAIST)

Co-Author(s)

Bumjoon Kim (KAIST)

Abstract

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have recently achieved unprecedented power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), achieving the remarkable 20% milestone. This has been driven primarily by the rapid development of small molecule acceptors (SMAs). However, SMA-based OSCs are severely hindered by their inherent lack of long-term stability and mechanical fragility. In this study, we synthesized the core-linked star-shaped trimer (TCB-C) from the small molecule acceptor monomer (CB-Cl). This strategy increased the glass transition temperature (Tg) that thermodynamically locks the active layer morphology against thermal stress.  At the same time, the core-linked star-shaped geometry of the trimer increased the amorphous domains of the active layer, leading to enhanced mechanical properties compared with the monomer-based system. When TCB-C is incorporated as a guest component to the PM6:Y6-16 ternary system, the increased molecular weight of the trimeric structure raises the glass transition temperature (Tg), giving the ternary devices exceptional thermal stability (T80 = 1,855 hours) compared to the PM6:Y6-16 system (T80 = 240 hours). Intrinsically stretchable organic solar cells (IS-OSCs) fabricated with the PM6:Y6-160.6:TCB-C0.6 device retained 80% of their initial power conversion efficiency under 28% applied mechanical strain (PCE80% = 28%), significantly outperforming the control PM6:Y6-16 devices (PCE80% = 14%). These findings suggest that core-linked star-shaped trimers have the potential to serve as a promising material for the development of high-performance organic solar cells.
 
Supported by
Korea Tourism Organization BUSAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION
Sponsored by
Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology Advanced Materials Division Sejin CI DONGJIN SEMICHEM HAEDONG SCIENCE FOUNDATION COSMAX EcoProBM Young Eng. Sci. Doosan SAMSUNG SDI S-OIL 한국도레이과학진흥재단