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  • Review Article
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The principles, design and applications of fused-ring electron acceptors

Nature Reviews Chemistry volume 6, pages 614–634 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Fused-ring electron acceptors (FREAs) have a donor–acceptor–donor structure comprising an electron-donating fused-ring core, electron-accepting end groups, π-bridges and side chains. FREAs possess beneficial features, such as feasibility to tailor their structures, high property tunability, strong visible and near-infrared light absorption and excellent n-type semiconducting characteristics. FREAs have initiated a revolution to the field of organic solar cells in recent years. FREA-based organic solar cells have achieved unprecedented efficiencies, over 20%, which breaks the theoretical efficiency limit of traditional fullerene acceptors (~13%), and boast potential operational lifetimes approaching 10 years. Based on the original studies of FREAs, a variety of new structures, mechanisms and applications have flourished. In this Review, we introduce the fundamental principles of FREAs, including their structures and inherent electronic and physical properties. Next, we discuss the way in which the properties of FREAs can be modulated through variations to the electronic structure or molecular packing. We then present the current applications and consider the future areas that may benefit from developments in FREAs. Finally, we conclude with the position of FREA chemistry, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that may arise in the future of this burgeoning field.

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Fig. 1: Packing of fused-ring electron acceptors in single crystals.
Fig. 2: The structures of fused-ring electron acceptors with extended rings and donors d1–d3.
Fig. 3: The structures of fused-ring electron acceptors with substituted rings.
Fig. 4: The structures of fused-ring electron acceptors with heteroatoms or heteroatom-containing groups substituted in end groups and side chains and donors d4–d10.
Fig. 5: The structures of polymeric FREAs and donor d11.
Fig. 6: The structure of fused-ring electron acceptors with different packing properties and donors d12–d14.
Fig. 7: Molecular structures and various applications of FREAs.

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Acknowledgements

X.Z. thanks the National Science Foundation of China (21734001, U21A20101).

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  1. Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China

    Jiayu Wang, Peiyao Xue, Yiting Jiang, Yong Huo & Xiaowei Zhan

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All authors researched data and contributed to the writing of the article. J.W. and X.Z. organized and edited the manuscript before submission.

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Glossary

Internet of things

Physical objects with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet.

Power conversion efficiency

(PCE). The efficiency of converting solar energy into electricity, which is the ratio of output power from the solar cell to input power from the sun.

Open-circuit voltage

(VOC). The voltage generated when the solar cell is open circuited under illumination, which is the maximum voltage available from a solar cell.

Short-circuit current density

(JSC). The current density generated when the solar cell is short circuited under illumination, which is the maximum current density available from a solar cell.

Fill factor

(FF). The ratio of the maximum output power to the product of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density.

Domain

An area of a phase in a blended film that generally comprises three phases, namely, pure donor phase, pure acceptor phase and donor–acceptor mixed phase.

Reorganization energies

Gibbs energy dissipated when a system that has undergone vertical electron transfer relaxes to the equilibrium state for its new charge distribution.

Face-on orientation

A molecular orientation in which the molecular backbone is parallel to the substrate, which is beneficial to the charge transport in the vertical direction.

Passivate defects

Deactivation of defects, which are active centres inducing detrimental processes such as charge recombination, ion migration and material degradation, in perovskite through various methods.

p-i-n

The inverted device structure (substrate/transparent electrode/hole transport layer/perovskite/electron transport layer/top electrode) of perovskite solar cells.

n-i-p

The normal device structure (substrate/transparent electrode/electron transport layer/perovskite/hole transport layer/top electrode) of perovskite solar cells.

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Wang, J., Xue, P., Jiang, Y. et al. The principles, design and applications of fused-ring electron acceptors. Nat Rev Chem 6, 614–634 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-022-00409-2

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