An Unprecedented Efficiency with Approaching 21% Enabled by Additive-Assisted Layer-by-Layer Processing in Organic Solar Cells
Corresponding Author: Ke Gao
Nano-Micro Letters,
Vol. 17 (2025), Article Number: 37
Abstract
Recently published in Joule, Feng Liu and colleagues from Shanghai Jiaotong University reported a record-breaking 20.8% power conversion efficiency in organic solar cells (OSCs) with an interpenetrating fibril network active layer morphology, featuring a bulk p-i-n structure and proper vertical segregation achieved through additive-assisted layer-by-layer deposition. This optimized hierarchical gradient fibrillar morphology and optical management synergistically facilitates exciton diffusion, reduces recombination losses, and enhances light capture capability. This approach not only offers a solution to achieving high-efficiency devices but also demonstrates the potential for commercial applications of OSCs.
Highlights:
1 Additive-assisted layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition enables organic solar cells to achieve an unprecedented power conversion efficiency of 20.8%, the highest efficiency to date.
2 The gradient fibrillar morphology enabled by additive-assisted LBL processing promotes the formation of bulk p-i-n structure, improving exciton and carrier diffusion, and reducing recombination losses.
3 The wrinkle pattern morphology achieved by additive-assisted LBL processing is constructed to enhance the light capture capability.
Keywords
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- M. Zhang, X. Guo, W. Ma, H. Ade, J. Hou, A large-bandgap conjugated polymer for versatile photovoltaic applications with high performance. Adv. Mater. 27(31), 4655–4660 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201502110
- Q. Liu, Y. Jiang, K. Jin, J. Qin, J. Xu et al., 18% efficiency organic solar cells. Sci. Bull. 65(4), 272–275 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2020.01.001
- J. Yuan, Y. Zhang, L. Zhou, G. Zhang, H.-L. Yip et al., Single-junction organic solar cell with over 15% efficiency using fused-ring acceptor with electron-deficient core. Joule 3(4), 1140–1151 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2019.01.004
- L. Zhu, M. Zhang, J. Xu, C. Li, J. Yan et al., Single-junction organic solar cells with over 19% efficiency enabled by a refined double-fibril network morphology. Nat. Mater. 21(6), 656–663 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-022-01244-y
- L. Zhu, M. Zhang, G. Zhou, Z. Wang, W. Zhong et al., Achieving 20.8% organic solar cell via additive-assisted layer-by-layer fabrication with bulk p-i-n structure and improved optical management. Joule (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2024.08.001
References
M. Zhang, X. Guo, W. Ma, H. Ade, J. Hou, A large-bandgap conjugated polymer for versatile photovoltaic applications with high performance. Adv. Mater. 27(31), 4655–4660 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201502110
Q. Liu, Y. Jiang, K. Jin, J. Qin, J. Xu et al., 18% efficiency organic solar cells. Sci. Bull. 65(4), 272–275 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2020.01.001
J. Yuan, Y. Zhang, L. Zhou, G. Zhang, H.-L. Yip et al., Single-junction organic solar cell with over 15% efficiency using fused-ring acceptor with electron-deficient core. Joule 3(4), 1140–1151 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2019.01.004
L. Zhu, M. Zhang, J. Xu, C. Li, J. Yan et al., Single-junction organic solar cells with over 19% efficiency enabled by a refined double-fibril network morphology. Nat. Mater. 21(6), 656–663 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-022-01244-y
L. Zhu, M. Zhang, G. Zhou, Z. Wang, W. Zhong et al., Achieving 20.8% organic solar cell via additive-assisted layer-by-layer fabrication with bulk p-i-n structure and improved optical management. Joule (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2024.08.001