Steric hindrance induced low exciton binding energy enables low‐driving‐force organic solar cells

Abstract

AbstractExciton binding energy (Eb) has been regarded as a critical parameter in charge separation during photovoltaic conversion. Minimizing the Eb of the photovoltaic materials can facilitate the exciton dissociation in low‐driving force organic solar cells (OSCs) and thus improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE); nevertheless, diminishing the Eb with deliberate design principles remains a significant challenge. Herein, bulky side chain as steric hindrance structure was inserted into Y‐series acceptors to minimize the Eb by modulating the intra‐ and intermolecular interaction. Theoretical and experimental results indicate that steric hindrance‐induced optimal intra‐ and intermolecular interaction can enhance molecular polarizability, promote electronic orbital overlap between molecules, and facilitate delocalized charge transfer pathways, thereby resulting in a low Eb. The conspicuously reduced Eb obtained in Y‐ChC5 with pinpoint steric hindrance modulation can minimize the detrimental effects on exciton dissociation in low‐driving‐force OSCs, achieving a remarkable PCE of 19.1% with over 95% internal quantum efficiency. Our study provides a new molecular design rationale to reduce the Eb.