Synthesis of Bioinspired Curcuminoid Small Molecules for Solution-Processed Organic Solar Cells with High Open-Circuit Voltage

Borondifluoride complexes of curcuminoid derivatives end-capped with triphenylamine groups were designed for solution-processed bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells. They were obtained very simply in a one-pot synthesis from cheap building blocks. Compared to push-pull systems based on borondifluoride complexes of hydroxychalcones, curcuminoids present the donor-accept-or-donor electronic structure and exhibit significantly improved chemical and thermal stability and photovoltaic performance. Indeed, power conversion efficiency up to 4.14% and high open-circuit voltage over 1.0 V have been achieved using PC61BM as acceptor.