Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Ternary all-polymer solar cells with PM6:PCN3:PY-IT achieved a PCE of 19.41%, surpassing the binary PM6:PY-IT system (18.67%) by 0.74 percentage points, demonstrating the efficacy of dual-compatibility interfacial modifiers in enhancing photovoltaic performance. • • At an active layer thickness of 200 nm, the device retained a high PCE of 18.25%, indicating thickness-insensitive behavior critical for roll-to-roll manufacturing where uniform thick films are challenging to produce. • • The interfacial modifier PCN3 suppressed excessive phase separation and optimized vertical phase separation, leading to extended exciton diffusion length and improved exciton dissociation efficiency, which are essential for mitigating recombination losses in thick active layers. • • The strategy effectively suppressed trap-assisted recombination, a major loss mechanism in thick-film devices, thereby enabling high fill factors and open-circuit voltages even at increased thicknesses.
Abstract
This study introduces a dual-compatibility third component as an interfacial modifier to precisely regulate the active layer morphology of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (BHJ-OSCs). This approach successfully suppresses excessive phase separation, significantly enhancing the performance of thick-film devices. The interface-styling strategy enhances donor–acceptor interactions, optimizes vertical phase separation morphology, extends exciton diffusion length, improves exciton dissociation efficiency, facilitates efficient charge transport, and effectively suppresses trap-assisted recombination. The ternary device based on PM6:PCN3:PY-IT achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.41%, which was much higher than that of the PM6:PY-IT binary system (18.67%). The device maintains excellent performance at an active layer thickness of 200 nm, achieving a high PCE of 18.25%. This study demonstrates the significance of using dually compatible molecules for interface modification in all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs), providing theoretical guidance for the fabrication of high-performance thick-film devices.
1. Introduction
All-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) have attracted significant attention due to their superior solution processability, mechanical flexibility, and morphological stability. However, their active layers are typically limited to ~100 nm thickness to achieve high efficiency, posing a bottleneck for industrial-scale manufacturing where uniform, defect-free thick films are required. Increasing active layer thickness often leads to excessive phase separation and higher defect densities, causing increased charge trapping and nonradiative recombination, thereby reducing device performance.
This study addresses this critical challenge by introducing a dual-compatibility third component, PCN3, as an interfacial modifier in the PM6:PY-IT system. Unlike conventional modifiers that are compatible with only one component, PCN3 exhibits compatibility with both donor and acceptor, enabling precise morphological regulation. This approach suppresses excessive phase separation, optimizes vertical phase separation, and enhances exciton dissociation and charge transport, even in thick films. The result is a thickness-insensitive device achieving 19.41% efficiency at ~100 nm and maintaining 18.25% at 200 nm, demonstrating a viable pathway for scalable production of high-performance all-PSCs.
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Lei Wang, Xiaoyong Hu, Lihua Cao, Yude Liu, Lijun Wei, Zhao Qin, Bending Zhang, Lifu Zhang, Zhongyi Yuan (2026). Achieving 19.41% Efficiency in Thickness-Insensitive All-Polymer Solar Cells via Interface Modifier-Mediated Morphological Modulation. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-4032-x
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the specific role of the dual-compatibility interfacial modifier PCN3 in controlling the active layer morphology of thick-film all-polymer solar cells?
PCN3, being compatible with both donor (PM6) and acceptor (PY-IT), acts as a morphological regulator. It suppresses excessive phase separation by enhancing donor-acceptor interactions, leading to a more optimal vertical phase separation. This results in extended exciton diffusion length and improved exciton dissociation efficiency, which are critical for maintaining high performance in thick active layers (e.g., 200 nm) where recombination losses are typically exacerbated.
How does the ternary device PM6:PCN3:PY-IT achieve a PCE of 19.41% compared to the binary system's 18.67%, and what are the underlying mechanisms?
The 0.74 percentage point improvement is attributed to multiple synergistic effects: enhanced exciton dissociation due to optimized morphology, facilitated charge transport pathways, and effective suppression of trap-assisted recombination. These effects collectively improve short-circuit current density (Jsc) and fill factor (FF), leading to higher overall efficiency.
What is the significance of maintaining 18.25% PCE at an active layer thickness of 200 nm for industrial scalability?
Thick active layers (≥200 nm) are essential for large-scale manufacturing processes like roll-to-roll coating, where achieving uniform thin films is difficult. The demonstrated thickness-insensitive performance (only ~1.16% absolute loss from 100 nm to 200 nm) indicates that the device can tolerate thickness variations without significant efficiency drop, which is crucial for high-throughput production.
What are the potential limitations or challenges of using PCN3 as an interfacial modifier in terms of material synthesis and device stability?
While the study demonstrates enhanced performance, the synthesis of PCN3 may involve complex chemical routes, potentially increasing material costs. Additionally, long-term stability under operational conditions (e.g., thermal and photostability) is not discussed in the provided text. Future work should address these aspects to assess commercial viability.
How does the dual-compatibility strategy compare to conventional interfacial modifiers that are compatible with only one component?
Conventional modifiers often optimize interactions with either the donor or acceptor, which can lead to unbalanced charge transport or excessive phase separation. The dual-compatibility of PCN3 ensures balanced interactions with both components, promoting a more homogeneous and optimal morphology. This results in superior performance, especially in thick films, as evidenced by the high PCE retention at 200 nm.
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