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ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAICS

How to split an exciton

Non-fullerene acceptors have enabled record power conversion efficiencies in organic solar cells, but it is unclear how they achieve efficient electron–hole separation. New research shows that extremely long exciton lifetimes are essential to ensure that charges are generated efficiently.

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Fig. 1: Energy level alignment in electron donor and acceptor pairs and its correlation with non-radiative voltage loss and external quantum efficiency.

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Correspondence to Tracey M. Clarke.

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Clarke, T.M. How to split an exciton. Nat Energy 5, 644–645 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-020-00689-2

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