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Here, we explain why the Energy Gap Law and the energy inversion related to the charge-transfer state have opposite effects on the trend of nonradiative energy loss of organic solar cells. The root is the existing condition of energy inversion. There is indeed a certain probability of energy inversion, but it will eventually be implicit or explicit as determined by the hybridization, which depends on the electron-withdrawing unit of the donor, giving rise to different stacking sites. The triplet-state hybridization leads to an explicit characteristic, while singlet-state hybridization leads to an implicit characteristic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ITIC-series nonfullerene organic photovoltaics (NF OPVs) have realized the simultaneous increases of the short-circuit current density (JSC) and open-circuit voltage (VOC), called the positive correlation between JSC and VOC, which could improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, it is complicated to predict the formation of positive correlation in devices through simple calculations of single molecules due to their dimensional differences. Here, a series of symmetrical NF acceptors blended with the PBDB-T donor were chosen to establish an association framework between the molecular modification strategy and positive correlation. It can be found that the positive correlation is modification site-dependent following the energy variation at the different levels. Furthermore, to illustrate a positive correlation, the energy gap differences (ΔEg) and the energy level differences of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (ΔELUMO) between the two changed acceptors were proposed as two molecular descriptors. Combined with the machine learning model, the accuracy of the proposed descriptor is more than 70% for predicting the correlation, which verifies the reliability of the prediction model. This work establishes the relative relationship between two molecular descriptors with different molecular modification sites and realizes the prediction of the trend of efficiency. Therefore, future research should focus on the simultaneous enhancement of photovoltaic parameters for high-performance NF OPVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ring‐expanded strategy in nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) with the acceptor–donor–acceptor backbone has been reported to be an effective method to improve the fill factor (FF), open circuit voltage (VOC), and short circuit current (JSC) simultaneously in organic photovoltaics. However, design control is still missing in the ring‐expanded strategy, and is urgently needed to further develop the origins and rules. To give insight into this strategy, a detailed theoretical study of the ring‐expanded mechanism is performed on the systems comprising different 9,9′‐bifluorenylidene‐based cores and 1,1‐dicyanomethylene‐3‐indanone group. Some main parameters involved in photoelectric conversion mechanism under the donor excitation (DE) and/or acceptor excitation (AE) are assessed by changing the position and size of ring‐expanded modes. The results show that the external ring‐expanded modes can not only maintain the original advantage as much as possible, variations in sizes and positions also offer them an opportunity to regulate the aforementioned parameters systematically, leading to better improvement regardless of AE or DE. Thus, the steady improvement in performance mentioned previously is the key to overcoming the negative correlation among FF, VOC, and JSC. This insight and discovery of the ring‐expanded strategy provides new design approaches for the next generation of NFAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing the structure of porphyrins with a A-π-D-π-A configuration is one of the effective strategies to maintain their dominance and compensate shortcomings through flexible changes in fragments. In this regard, π-bridges have attracted wide attention as a parameter affecting molecular backbones, electron transfer, energy levels, absorption, and other properties. However, the essence and influence of π-bridges have not yet been confirmed. In order to satisfy the requirements of intelligent application in molecular design, this study aimed to investigate the control effect of differences in π-bridge composition (thiophene and selenophene) and connection type (single bonds, ethylenic bonds and fused) on photoelectric performance. Y6 and PC 61 BM were used as acceptors to build donor/acceptor (D/A) interfaces and characterize the film morphology in three dimensions. Results showed that the essence of π-bridges involves a strong bridging effect (adjusting ability) between A and D fragments rather than highlighting its own nature. The large value could obtain high open circuit voltages ( V OC ), large separation and small recombination rates as well as stable and tight morphology. Therefore, adjusting ability is a unified descriptor for evaluating π-bridges, and it is an effective strategy to adjust material properties and morphology. This insight and discovery may provide a new evaluation descriptor for the screening and design of π-bridges.

Suppressing non-radiative energy loss (ΔE 3 ) mediated by the triplet charge transfer state is crucial for high-performance organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, we decode the energy inversion through multi-scale theoretical simulations, which inhibit the formation of non-emissive triplet (T 1 ) state. However, it is mystified by the system dependence. We first demonstrate a direct relationship of "the probability of Face-on orientation (P Face-on ) is proportional to the probability of energy inversion (P EI )", which is related to the function of terminal fluorination. Through Pearson's correlation coefficient and machine learning model, the useful stacking structural parameters were obtained to clarify the effect of π-bridge group on the function of terminal fluorination. Based on the molecular descriptors established, we explain that the fluorination effect is beneficial to Face-on orientation and thus energy inversion due to the enhanced intermolecular coupling. But the π-bridge inhibits this coupling with the interfacial stacking configuration appearing more "TT_IC". This work provides a directional standard for promoting energy inversion to reduce ΔE 3 for the high-performance OSCs., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)