Green-Solvent-Processed Molecular Solar Cells

High-efficiency bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells with power conversion efficiencies of more than 5% can be fabricated using the green solvent 2-MeTHF. The active layers comprise a blend of a molecular semiconductor donor with intermediate dimensions (X2) and the soluble fullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl-C-61-butyricacidoctylester (PC61BC8). A switch of the processing solvent from chloroform to 2-MeTHF leads to no negative impacts on the morphology and charge-transport properties of optimally performing BHJ films. Examinations by absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering reveal no significant modification of morphology. These results show that green solvents can be excellent alternatives for large-area printing of high-performance organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and thus open new opportunities for sustainable mass production of organic solar cells and other optoelectronic devices.