Critical length screening enables 19% efficiency in thick-film organic solar cells

Yuan Meng, Bo Cheng, Dongcheng Jiang, Jiangkai Sun, Jiawei Qiao, Beibei Shi, Haisheng Ma, Jingtian Zhu, Lianbo Wang, Runzheng Gu, Peng Lu, Yanna Sun (), Xiaoyan Du, Xia Guo, Ke Gao, He Yan, Maojie Zhang (), Feng Chen, Yanming Sun, Xiaotao Hao () and Hang Yin ()
Additional contact information
Yuan Meng: Shandong University
Bo Cheng: Shandong University
Dongcheng Jiang: Shandong University
Jiangkai Sun: Shandong University
Jiawei Qiao: Shandong University
Beibei Shi: Shandong University
Haisheng Ma: Beihang University
Jingtian Zhu: Shandong University
Lianbo Wang: Shandong University
Runzheng Gu: Shandong University
Peng Lu: Shandong University
Yanna Sun: Shandong University
Xiaoyan Du: Shandong University
Xia Guo: Shandong University
Ke Gao: Shandong University
He Yan: Clear Water Bay
Maojie Zhang: Shandong University
Feng Chen: Shandong University
Yanming Sun: Beihang University
Xiaotao Hao: Shandong University
Hang Yin: Shandong University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The commercialization of organic solar cells (OSCs) requires thick-film active layers, yet current thick-film-compatible acceptor selection based on zero-field mobility is unreliable due to methodological inconsistencies in experimental protocols, fitting models, and single-carrier device configurations. Existing literature indicates that the zero-field mobility in high-performance thick-film devices shows negligible differences compared to thin-film counterparts, thereby invalidating its significance as a selection criterion. This study introduces a protocol identifying critical length - an intrinsic property distinct from zero-field mobility - as the decisive factor for thick-film OSC performance. Comparative studies reveal that enlarged acceptor domains with high critical length yield increased hopping frequency, improved charge mobility and reduced field-dependent, collectively enhancing performance. Applying this criterion, we identify BTP-eC9 as a general acceptor, achieving 19.0% efficiency in thick-film D18:L8-BO:BTP-eC9 OSCs. This work not only demonstrates the fabrication of high-performance thick-film OSCs, but fundamentally advances material screening methodology specifically tailored for thick-film-compatible organic semiconductors.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64808-x

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