Issue 14, 2024

Understanding photochemical degradation mechanisms in photoactive layer materials for organic solar cells

Abstract

Over the past decades, the field of organic solar cells (OSCs) has witnessed a significant evolution in materials chemistry, which has resulted in a remarkable enhancement of device performance, achieving efficiencies of over 19%. The photoactive layer materials in OSCs play a crucial role in light absorption, charge generation, transport and stability. To facilitate the scale-up of OSCs, it is imperative to address the photostability of these electron acceptor and donor materials, as their photochemical degradation process remains a challenge during the photo-to-electric conversion. In this review, we present an overview of the development of electron acceptor and donor materials, emphasizing the crucial aspects of their chemical stability behavior that are linked to the photostability of OSCs. Throughout each section, we highlight the photochemical degradation pathways for electron acceptor and donor materials, and their link to device degradation. We also discuss the existing interdisciplinary challenges and obstacles that impede the development of photostable materials. Finally, we offer insights into strategies aimed at enhancing photochemical stability and discuss future directions for developing photostable photo-active layers, facilitating the commercialization of OSCs.

Graphical abstract: Understanding photochemical degradation mechanisms in photoactive layer materials for organic solar cells

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
07 feb. 2024
First published
13 jun. 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2024,53, 7426-7454

Understanding photochemical degradation mechanisms in photoactive layer materials for organic solar cells

J. Han, H. Xu, S. H. K. Paleti, A. Sharma and D. Baran, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2024, 53, 7426 DOI: 10.1039/D4CS00132J

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