PY‐IT, an Excellent Polymer Acceptor^†

Abstract

Comprehensive SummaryAll‐Polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs) have attracted considerable attention due to their inherent advantages over other types of organic solar cells, including superior optical and thermal stability, as well as exceptional mechanical durability. Recently, all‐PSCs have experienced remarkable advancements in device performance thanks to the invention of polymerized small‐molecule acceptors (PSMAs) since 2017. Among these PSMAs, PY‐IT has garnered immense interest from the scientific community due to its exceptional performance in all‐PSCs. In this review, we presented the design principles of PY‐IT and discussed the various strategies employed in device engineering for PY‐IT‐based all‐PSCs. These strategies include additive and interface engineering, layer‐by‐layer processing methods, meniscus‐assisted coating methods, and ternary strategy. Furthermore, this review highlighted several novel polymeric donor materials that are paired with PY‐IT to achieve efficient all‐PSCs. Lastly, we summarized the inspiring strategies for further advancing all‐PSCs based on PY‐IT. These strategies aim to enhance the overall performance and stability of all‐PSCs by exploring new materials, optimizing device architectures, and improving fabrication techniques. By leveraging these approaches, we anticipate significant progress in the development of all‐PSCs and their potential as a viable renewable energy source.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Polythiophene and its derivatives for all-polymer solar cells

“…129 Recognized as an effective approach for enhancing the efficiency and stability, the PSMA strategy has inspired the development of a series of efficient polymer acceptor materials, 25 which have propelled the PCE of all-PSCs to surpass 19%. 130 Thermodynamic molecular interactions significantly impact the morphology of the active layer. 131,132 Compared with polymer:small molecule blends, polymer:polymer blends exhibit notably reduced mixing entropy, resulting in polymer self-aggregation and extensive phase separation, thus hindering exciton dissociation and charge transport.…”

Investigating the Effects of Hydrogen Bonding on Mechanical and Electrical Properties of n-Type Semicrystalline Polymers

“…Conjugated polymers represent a promising class of materials for portable and wearable electronics, owing to their ease of solution processing, lightweight, and mechanical flexibility. These polymers have been chemically tailored to enhance charge transport and light absorption properties, enabling their successful integration into a range of applications including organic field effect transistors (OFET), − organic solar cells (OSC), − organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), − and organic electrochemical transistors (OECT). − With growing interest in wearable electronics, there is an increasing need for the development of conjugated polymers that are not only efficient but also mechanically robust. − Nevertheless, most high-performance conjugated polymers exhibit poor mechanical ductility and robustness due to their stiff polymer backbone structures, which are required for generating efficient charge transport but lead to hard and brittle crystalline domains. − As a result, developing electroactive polymers that simultaneously exhibit high stretchability and electrical performance remains a challenge.…”