Efficient Approach for Improving the Performance of Nonhalogenated Green Solvent-Processed Polymer Solar Cells via Ternary-Blend Strategy

The ternary-blend approach has the potential to enhance the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of polymer solar cells (PSCs) by providing complementary absorption and efficient charge generation. Unfortunately, most PSCs are processed with toxic halogenated solvents, which are harmful to human health and the environment. Herein, we report the addition of a nonfullerene electron acceptor 3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b′]dithiophene (ITIC) to a binary blend (poly[4,8-bis(2-(4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)3-fluorophenyl)-5-thienyl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-alt-1,3-bis(4-octylthien-2-yl)-5-(2-ethylhexyl)thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione] (P1):[6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM), PCE = 8.07%) to produce an efficient nonhalogenated green solvent-processed ternary PSC system with a high PCE of 10.11%. The estimated wetting coefficient value (0.086) for the ternary blend suggests that ITIC could be located at the P1:PC71BM interface, resulting in efficient charge generation and charge transport. In addition, the improved current density, sustained open-circuit voltage and PCE of the optimized ternary PSCs were highly correlated with their better external quantum efficiency response and flat-band potential value obtained from the Mott–Schottky analysis. In addition, the ternary PSCs also showed excellent ambient stability over 720 h. Therefore, our results demonstrate the combination of fullerene and nonfullerene acceptors in ternary blend as an efficient approach to improve the performance of eco-friendly solvent-processed PSCs with long-term stability.