Discover how ternary organic photovoltaics with wide bandgap polymer donors and Y6-based acceptors are achieving unprecedented efficiencies approaching 18%.
Imagine a future where every window, smartphone screen, and even clothing can generate clean electricity from sunlight. This isn't science fiction—it's the promising potential of organic photovoltaics (OPVs), a revolutionary solar technology that's lightweight, flexible, and can be printed like newspaper.
Rigid, heavy panels with limited application flexibility and higher manufacturing costs.
Lightweight, flexible, printable cells enabling diverse applications from wearables to building integration.
Sunlight creates excitons (electron-hole pairs) in the active layer.
Excitons travel to the donor-acceptor interface.
Excitons split into free electrons and holes at the interface.
Electrons and holes travel to respective electrodes, generating current.
Limited spectral coverage and morphological challenges.
Enhanced performance through complementary materials.
Record Efficiency
Optimal Y6-1O Content
Solvent Annealing Time
| Device Configuration | JSC (mA/cm²) | VOC (V) | FF (%) | PCE (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D18-Cl:Y6 (Binary) | 25.53 | 0.881 | 75.88 | 17.07 |
| D18-Cl:Y6-1O (Binary) | 22.72 | 0.929 | 73.14 | 15.44 |
| D18-Cl:Y6:Y6-1O (Ternary, 30% Y6-1O) | 25.87 | 0.900 | 76.92 | 17.91 |
Broad near-infrared absorption, efficient electron transport with A-DA'D-A molecular structure 2 .
Star MaterialVoltage enhancement, morphology optimization with similar structure to Y6 1 .
OptimizedVisible light absorption, hole transport with deep HOMO level for higher voltage 1 .
High PerformanceMorphology optimization, performance enhancement when added in small quantities .
Morphology ControlUsing pretrained graph neural networks to design novel OPV molecules with predicted efficiencies approaching 21% 6 .
Developing robust materials and encapsulation technologies to improve operational lifetime 7 .
Tailoring OPVs for specific uses like tandem architectures and indoor photovoltaics .
The achievement of approaching 18% efficiency in ternary organic photovoltaics represents more than just a numerical milestone—it signals the coming of age of a technology with the potential to fundamentally transform how we generate and use solar energy. With each efficiency record broken and each new stable material developed, we move closer to a future where solar energy generation is seamlessly integrated into our everyday environment.
Record Efficiency
Component Strategy
Revolutionary Acceptor
Future Applications