Molecular stacking pattern effects in heterojunction of D18:Y6 organic solar cell

Abstract

AbstractMolecular stacking modes that determine morphology of bulk‐heterojunctions are important because of their effects on photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, in order to investigate how molecular stacking pattern in OSCs heterojunction impact on electronic structures and properties, and then influence photovoltaic performance, this work selected D18:Y6 OSC as a representative system. On the basis of semi‐empirical quantum chemistry and density functional theory calculations, we studied the geometries, electronic structures and excitation properties, as well as electron and hole couplings of D18 and Y6 molecules, Y6 dimers, D18/Y6 and D18/Y6‐dimer complexes which are heterojunction interface models. The results indicate that the molecular stacking effects on open‐circuit voltage (VOC) can be attributed to the influences on charge transfer (CT) excitation energies because molecular stacking modes at donor/acceptor heterojunction interface can significantly change excitation energies. Furthermore, the molecular stacking modes can cause drastically different electron and hole couplings, and then affect charge transfer/transport rates. Hence, the molecular stacking effects on short‐circuit current density (JSC) can be understood from the effects on electron and hole couplings. The molecular stacking modes that are favorable to improving VOC and JSC of D18:Y6 OSC were also discussed.