Revealing electron transport connectivity as an important factor influencing stability of organic solar cells

Haixia Hu, Rui Zhang, Dongcheng Jiang, Xinyu Mu, Jicheng Yi, Han Yu, Lik-Kuen Ma, Bin Li, Lingxin Cao, Mengzhen Sha, Jiangkai Sun, Ruohua Gui, Wei Liu, Shijie Liang, Longlong Li, Shufen Huang, Jianyu Yuan, Chengwang Niu, Cunquan Qu, Jun Yuan, Rongkun Zhou, Chen Zhang, Lin Lu, Xiaoyan Du, Kun Gao, Weiwei Li, Shu Kong So, Yingping Zou, Yanming Sun, Xiaotao Hao, Feng Gao, He Yan () and Hang Yin ()
Additional contact information
Haixia Hu: Shandong University
Rui Zhang: Linköping University
Dongcheng Jiang: Shandong University
Xinyu Mu: Shandong University
Jicheng Yi: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Han Yu: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Lik-Kuen Ma: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Bin Li: Soochow University
Lingxin Cao: Shandong University
Mengzhen Sha: Shandong University
Jiangkai Sun: Shandong University
Ruohua Gui: Shandong University
Wei Liu: Central South University
Shijie Liang: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Longlong Li: Shandong University
Shufen Huang: Shandong University
Jianyu Yuan: Soochow University
Chengwang Niu: Shandong University
Cunquan Qu: Shandong University
Jun Yuan: Central South University
Rongkun Zhou: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Chen Zhang: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Lin Lu: Shandong University
Xiaoyan Du: Shandong University
Kun Gao: Shandong University
Weiwei Li: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Shu Kong So: Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong
Yingping Zou: Central South University
Yanming Sun: Beihang University
Xiaotao Hao: Shandong University
Feng Gao: Linköping University
He Yan: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hang Yin: Shandong University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract In the pursuit of advancing the commercialization of organic solar cells (OSCs), stability emerges as a paramount challenge. Herein, we show that the electron transport connectivity is a key factor determining the electron transport and device stability of OSCs. When compared to small molecular acceptors (SMAs), the larger-size polymeric acceptors (PAs) are likely to establish an electron transport network with superior connectivity. This enhanced connectivity enables more robust electron transport during potential device degradation. Our findings indicate that PA-integrated devices sustain elevated electron mobilities, even under reduced acceptor ratios (or higher impurity doping) over prolonged device operation. Furthermore, we employ the refined Su-Schrieffer-Heeger tight-binding model, in tandem with a random electron passing test and algebraic connectivity evaluations of molecular configurations, to conclusively validate the pivotal role played by the electron transport connectivity. These revelations are poised to offer new perspectives for material choices and methodologies for improving stability of OSCs.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60599-3

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