New Non-Fullerene Acceptor with Extended Conjugation of Cyclopenta [2,1-b:3,4-b’] Dithiophene for Organic Solar Cells

Herein, we design and characterize 9-heterocyclic ring non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) with the extended backbone of indacenodithiophene by cyclopenta [2,1-b:3,4-b’] dithiophene (CPDT). The planar conjugated CPDT donor enhances absorption by reducing vibronic transition and charge transport. Developed NFAs with different end groups shows maximum absorption at approximately 790–850 nm in film. Because of the electronegative nature of the end-group, the corresponding acceptors showed deeper LUMO energy levels and red-shifted ultraviolet absorption. We investigate the crystallinity, film morphology, surface energy, and electronic as well as photovoltaic performance. The organic photovoltaic cells using novel NFAs with the halogen end groups fluorine or chlorine demonstrate better charge collection and faster exciton dissociation than photovoltaic cells using NFAs with methyl or lacking a substituent. Photovoltaic devices constructed from m-Me-ITIC with various end groups deliver power conversion efficiencies of 3.6–11.8%.