Fine-Tuning Donor Material Deposition with Ultrasonic Aerosol Jet Printing to Balance Efficiency and Stability in Inverted Organic Photovoltaic Devices.

The response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken (BB) design of experiment (DoE) approach was performed, with the central point repeated four times to enhance statistical reliability, to systematically investigate the influence of ultrasonic aerosol jet printing (uAJP) parameters such as speed, flow, and power, while depositing the donor material deposition, on the acceptor/donor ratio and power conversion efficiency (PCE). Efforts were made to tune the D:A ratio to approximately 1:1.2, a composition widely used for the PM6:Y12 active layer system.

Event-driven retinomorphic photodiode with bio-plausible temporal dynamics.

Machine vision is indispensable in Industry 4.0 and autonomous driving, enabling the perception and reaction necessary to navigate dynamic environments. Current machine vision sensors, including frame-based and event-based types, often fall short due to their limited temporal dynamics compared with the human retina, hindering their overall performance and adaptability.

Organic dual-channel transistors for reconfigurable signal modulation and anti-counterfeiting.

The development of integrated circuits and artificial intelligence demands electronic devices with versatile functions. While unconventional transistors have broadened application possibilities in recent decades, further innovation remains essential. Here an organic dual-channel transistor (DCT) is proposed.

Modulated Interactions Induced by Cyano-Modified Wide-Bandgap Small-Molecule Acceptors Enables High-Performance Ternary Organic Photovoltaics.

The cyano group is extensively employed in the molecular engineering of high-performance small-molecule acceptors (SMAs) for organic solar cells (OSCs) to fine-tune energy levels and optimize molecular packing. To date, the application of cyano group has predominantly been confined to end-group modification in SMAs, with limited investigation in central unit engineering. Herein, in this work, the role of cyano substitution is systematically investigated in the central unit of SMAs and design a novel cyano-functionalized wide-bandgap acceptor UF-BCN.

Green Solvent-Processed Organic Solar Cells Approaching 20.4% Efficiency via Active Layer Pre-Solidification.

Green solvent fabrication of efficient organic solar cells (OSCs) is essential for their industrial scale extension and ecological sustainability, but there is typically an obvious efficiency drop during the transition from halogenated to green solvents due to the severe molecular aggregation. Here, an innovative strategy of active layer pre-solidification by liquid nitrogen freezing process is proposed to accelerate molecular precipitation and crystallization, and therefore suppress the excessive phase separation, as demonstrated by PiFM and GISAXs results. Moreover, pre-solidification process allows more solvents to carry acceptor molecules for an orderly upward migration during rapid volatilization, facilitating an ideal longitudinal gradient arrangement of photovoltaic materials that is favorable for charge transport and extraction.

Suppression of Charge Recombination Induced by Solid Additive Assisting Organic Solar Cells with Efficiency over 20.

A volatile solid additive strategy, which can effectively optimize the morphology of the photoactive layer with an ideal domain size and purity, has emerged as a promising approach to improve the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the precise role of solid additives in modulating charge and exciton dynamics, especially the recombination process, remains not fully understand. In this study, a solid additive, 1,4-diiodo-2,5-dimethoxybenzene (DIDOB), is developed to improve the photovoltaic performance of OSCs and conduct a comprehensive investigation into its effect on the charge recombination process.

Non-volatile Optoelectronic Memory with "Self-Refined" N-Type Conjugated Polymer Floating Gate for Multistate Storage.

Optoelectronic coupling programming successfully combines optoelectronic sensing, long-term storage, and multilevel storage functions, garnering increasing attention. In this work, upon introducing a self-refinement strategy to induce vertical phase segregation in a multicomponent system, a nonvolatile organic optoelectronic memory is proposed with one-step preparation. That is, an n-type conjugated polymer is dispersed into the p-type semiconductor@insulating polymer blend system, serving as a floating gate.

Surface-Emanated Vertical Organic Semiconducting Nanobrushes.

Polymer self-assembly offers an important route to construct well-defined nanostructures. However, it remains challenging to assemble polymers into vertically oriented nanostructures. Here, we use a seed-induced confinement self-assembly strategy to construct vertically aligned semiconducting nanobrushes from polyfluorene-based polymers on conductive substrates.

Electret-Inspired Charge-Injected Hydrogel for Scar-Free Healing of Bacterially Infected Burns Through Bioelectrical Stimulation and Immune Modulation.

In this study, an electret-inspired, charge-injected hydrogel called QOSP hydrogel (QCS/OD/SDI/PANI/PS/Plasma) that promotes scar-free healing of bacteria-infected burns through bioelectrical stimulation and immune modulation, is presented. The hydrogel, composed of quaternized chitosan (QCS), oxidized dextran (OD), sulfadiazine (SDI), polystyrene (PS), and polyaniline nanowires (PANI), forms a conductive network capable of storing and releasing electric charges, emulating an electret-like mechanism. This structure delivers bioelectrical signals continuously, enhancing wound healing by regulating immune responses and minimizing fibrosis.

High-Performance G-Dimer Acceptor-Based Flexible Organic Solar Cells Optimized by Temperature-Dependent Film Formation Process.

Giant Dimer (G-Dimer) acceptors have shown their promising ability in the fabrication of high-performance organic solar cells; however, a lack of investigation on the morphology optimization of donor and acceptor (D-A) blends essentially confines their potential application. Based on a typical Y6-analogues-based giant dimeric acceptor G-DimerC8C10, this study investigated the impact of varying processing temperatures on the behavior of the blends with donor PM6. The result indicated that as the processing temperature increased, the aggregation capacity of the donor is enhanced.

Dynamic hydrogen-bonding enables high-performance and mechanically robust organic solar cells processed with non-halogenated solvent.

Developing active-layer systems with both high performance and mechanical robustness is a crucial step towards achieving future commercialization of flexible and stretchable organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, we design and synthesize a series of acceptors BTA-C6, BTA-E3, BTA-E6, and BTA-E9, featuring the side chains of hexyl, and 3, 6, and 9 carbon-chain with ethyl ester end groups respectively. Benefiting from suitable phase separation and vertical phase distribution, the PM6:BTA-E3-based OSCs processed by o-xylene exhibit lower energy loss and improved charge transport characteristic and achieve a power conversion efficiency of 19.

Organic Optoelectronic Synaptic Transistor with Enhanced UV Light Response Based on Insulating Polymer-Assisted p-n Heterojunction.

Optoelectronic synaptic transistors possess the capability to simultaneously accomplish perception and process functions within a single device, thereby not only addressing the limitations of von Neumann architectures but also serving as a promising candidate for emulating neural vision systems. The extensive range of organic semiconductor materials offers a plethora of possibilities for device fabrication; however, the severe recombination of photogenerated carriers imposes limitations on the utilization of organic p-n bulk heterostructures in synaptic transistor construction. By incorporating an insulating polymer and implementing a p-n planar heterojunction architecture, the 30% PCBM@PAN-DPPDTT transistor was constructed using the PCBM/DPPDTT heterojunction and the PCBM@PAN photoresponsive charge trapping layer.

A Mixed-Pure Planar Heterojunction Structure of Active Layers for Efficient Sequential Blade-Coating Organic Solar Cells.

Precise modulating the vertical structure of active layers to boost charge transfer is an effective way to achieve high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) in organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, efficient OSCs with a well-controlled vertical structure are realized by a rapid film-forming method combining low boiling point solvent and the sequential blade-coating (SBC) technology. The results of grazing incident wide-angle X-ray scattering measurement show that the vertical component distribution is varied by changing the processing solvent.

Boosting the Efficiency of Perovskite/Organic Tandem Solar Cells via Enhanced Near-Infrared Absorption and Minimized Energy Losses.

The compatibility of perovskite and organic photovoltaic materials in solution processing provides a significant advantage in the fabrication of high-efficiency perovskite/organic tandem solar cells. However, additional recombination losses can occur during exciton dissociation in organic materials, leading to energy losses in the near-infrared region of tandem devices. Consequently, a ternary organic rear subcell is designed containing two narrow-bandgap non-fullerene acceptors to enhance the absorption of near-infrared light.

Isomeric Dimer Acceptors for Stable Organic Solar Cells with over 19 % Efficiency.

The strategy of isomerization is known for its simple yet effective role in optimizing molecular configuration and enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the impact of isomerization on the design of dimer acceptors has been rarely investigated, and the relationship between the chemical structure and optoelectronic property remains unclear. In this study, we designed and synthesized two dimer acceptor isomers named D-TPh and D-TN, which differ in the positional arrangement of their end capping groups.

Electro-Optically Configurable Synaptic Transistors With Cluster-Induced Photoactive Dielectric Layer for Visual Simulation and Biomotor Stimuli.

The integration of visual simulation and biorehabilitation devices promises great applications for sustainable electronics, on-demand integration and neuroscience. However, achieving a multifunctional synergistic biomimetic system with tunable optoelectronic properties at the individual device level remains a challenge. Here, an electro-optically configurable transistor employing conjugated-polymer as semiconductor layer and an insulating polymer (poly(1,8-octanediol-co-citrate) (POC)) with clusterization-triggered photoactive properties as dielectric layer is shown.

Asymmetrified Benzothiadiazole-Based Solid Additives Enable All-Polymer Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 19 .

Disordered polymer chain entanglements within all-polymer blends limit the formation of optimal donor-acceptor phase separation. Therefore, developing effective methods to regulate morphology evolution is crucial for achieving optimal morphological features in all-polymer organic solar cells (APSCs). In this study, two isomers, 4,5-difluorobenzo-c-1,2,5-thiadiazole (SF-1) and 5,6-difluorobenzo-c-1,2,5-thiadiazole (SF-2), were designed as solid additives based on the widely-used electron-deficient benzothiadiazole unit in nonfullerene acceptors.

High-Performance PM6:Y6-Based Ternary Solar Cells with Enhanced Open Circuit Voltage and Balanced Mobilities via Doping a Wide-Band-Gap Amorphous Acceptor.

Great progress has been made in organic solar cells (OSCs) in recent years, especially after the report of the highly efficient small-molecule electron acceptor Y6. However, the relatively low open circuit voltage () and unbalanced charge mobilities remain two issues that need to be resolved for further improvement in the performance of OSCs. Herein, a wide-band-gap amorphous acceptor IO-4Cl, which possessed a shallower lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level than Y6, was introduced into the PM6:Y6 binary system to construct a ternary device.

Halogenated Dibenzo[f,h]quinoxaline Units Constructed 2D-Conjugated Guest Acceptors for 19% Efficiency Organic Solar Cells.

Halogenation of Y-series small-molecule acceptors (Y-SMAs) is identified as an effective strategy to optimize photoelectric properties for achieving improved power-conversion-efficiencies (PCEs) in binary organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the effect of different halogenation in the 2D-structured large π-fused core of guest Y-SMAs on ternary OSCs has not yet been systematically studied. Herein, four 2D-conjugated Y-SMAs (X-QTP-4F, including halogen-free H-QTP-4F, chlorinated Cl-QTP-4F, brominated Br-QTP-4F, and iodinated I-QTP-4F) by attaching different halogens into 2D-conjugation extended dibenzo[f,h]quinoxaline core are developed.

Beyond Conventional Enhancements: Self-Organization of a Buffer Material on Tin Oxide as a Game-Changer for Improving the Performance of Inverted Organic Solar Cells.

Inverted organic solar cells (OSCs) have garnered significant interest due to their remarkable stability. In this study, the efficiency and stability of inverted OSCs are enhanced via the in situ self-organization (SO) of an interfacial modification material Phen-NaDPO onto tin oxide (SnO). During the device fabrication, Phen-NaDPO is spin-coated with the active materials all together on SnO.

Non-halogenated Solvent-Processed Organic Solar Cells with Approaching 20 % Efficiency and Improved Photostability.

The development of high-efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs) processed from non-halogenated solvents is crucially important for their scale-up industry production. However, owing to the difficulty of regulating molecular aggregation, there is a huge efficiency gap between non-halogenated and halogenated solvent processed OSCs. Herein, we fabricate o-xylene processed OSCs with approaching 20 % efficiency by incorporating a trimeric guest acceptor named Tri-V into the PM6:L8-BO-X host blend.

Terpolymer Containing a -Octyloxy-phenyl-Modified Dithieno[3,2-:2',3'-]quinoxaline Unit Enabling Efficient Organic Solar Cells.

With the rapid development of small-molecule electron acceptors, polymer electron donors are becoming more important than ever in organic photovoltaics, and there is still room for the currently available high-performance polymer donors. To further develop polymer donors with finely tunable structures to achieve better photovoltaic performances, random ternary copolymerization is a useful technique. Herein, by incorporating a new electron-withdrawing segment 2,3-bis(3-octyloxyphenyl)dithieno[3,2-:2',3'-]quinoxaline derivative (C12T-TQ) to PM6, a series of terpolymers were synthesized.