BODIPY derivatives with near infra-red absorption as small molecule donors for bulk heterojunction solar cells

Abstract

We report the synthesis of donor/acceptor functionalised BODIPY derivatives and their incorporation as donor molecules in bulk heterojunction solar cells.

Photophysics of BODIPY Dyes: Recent Advances

“…Due to these excellent photophysical characteristics, BODIPY dyes increase their potential using in different applications such as fluorescent labels for biomolecules and cellular imaging [11][12][13][14][15], light-emitting devices [16][17][18], drug delivery agents [19][20][21], photosensitizers [22][23][24], fluorescent switches [25], chemosensors [26][27][28][29], energy transfer cassettes [30][31][32][33], and solar cells [34][35][36][37]. In this chapter, general photophysical properties of BODIPY and aza-BODIPY derivatives and recent studies on the photophysical properties of these dyes are presented.…”

Bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells based on D–A type BODIPY small molecules as non-fullerene acceptors

“…47 In recent years, many BODIPY derivatives were applied in OSCs as donors and exhibited PCE in the range of 1.62–7.47%. 46,48–51 However, to the best of our knowledge, only two BODIPY derivatives were used as NFSMAs in OSCs, with an optimized PCE of 13.41% reported by our group. 52 On the other hand, carbazole and triphenylamine (TPA) groups are excellent building blocks with strong electron donating ability, low redox potential, and high hole mobility and have been extensively applied in the OSC field.…”

“…43–45 In addition, BODIPY dyes often possess deep highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels, which can result in a high open circuit voltage ( V OC ). 46 These predominant photoelectronic properties of BODIPYs make them attractive candidates for OSC applications. 47 In recent years, many BODIPY derivatives were applied in OSCs as donors and exhibited PCE in the range of 1.62–7.47%.…”

B←N Coordination: From Chemistry to Organic Photovoltaic Materials

“…Another push–pull system by substituting the α‐ and meso‐positions with TPA, phenothiazine, and nitrobenzene was reported with strong NIR absorption coefficients (91a‐c). [ 145 ] Preliminary device characterization showed efficiencies of 1.3%–1.6% using PC71BM as acceptor and the efficiencies can be further improved to 1.71% via thermal annealing. Recently, a series of simple BODIPY molecules with different replacements at meso‐positions were reported (92a‐f).…”