Low-Bandgap Non-fullerene Acceptors Enabling High-Performance Organic Solar Cells

Great progress in organic solar cells (OSCs) has been recently achieved owing to the advent of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). Indeed, low-bandgap NFAs ranging from 1.3 to 1.6 eV with broad absorption and easily tunable energy levels can utilize more solar radiation and maintain a small voltage loss when paired with suitable donors. Efficient OSCs are dependent on the good compatibility between donor and acceptor materials, active layer morphology control, and device engineering. In this review, we summarize some design and synthesis strategies for NFAs, achieving low bandgap and high power conversion efficiency. We also propose solutions toward innovative materials and device engineering to advance the development and applications of OSCs.

Automated summary

Recent advancements in organic solar cells have been achieved with the introduction of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), which offer a wide absorption range and easily tunable energy levels. Efficient OSCs rely on good donor-acceptor compatibility, morphological control, and device engineering. Researchers have summarized design and synthesis strategies for NFAs, as well as proposed innovative solutions for material and device engineering to advance the development and applications of OSCs.