Supramolecular alignment through one-step simultaneous and synergic blade coating and small molecule interface adsorption in organic solar cell fabrication

Pancotti G, Beneventi GM, Riera-Galindo S, Paradinas M, Kreuzer M, Siligardi G, Campoy-Quiles M, Guldi DM, Amabilino DB (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

EES Solar Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

DOI: 10.1039/d6el00135a

Abstract

The orientation of π-conjugated polymers impacts organic solar cells (OSCs). Owing to their intrinsic anisotropy, when fully extended, their alignment is expected to boost device performances. While various strategies have been used to control orientation, in this work we present a simple, yet effective, approach to enforce polymer alignment at the interface with an electron transport layer in a bulk heterojunction OSC. As little as 3 weight % of an additive in the photoactive layer gives interface adsorption and polymer ordering. In doing so, light absorption and charge generation across the photoactive area are optimized, especially for thinner films. We demonstrate that the PM6:Y6 photoactive layer exhibits superior photovoltaic performance when blended with enantiomerically pure 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) at film thicknesses as low as 40 nm under otherwise identical conditions. BINOL promotes short range molecular order without compromising the phase segregation of PM6:Y6 when blade-coated. Overall, BINOL enhances charge transport and reduces recombination losses by interfacial adsorption of this and other hydroxyl-containing additives that induce polymer alignment. What results are higher power conversion efficiencies (PCE) with minimum materials use, which support a potentially scalable and cost-efficient OSC fabrication. Our strategy not only offers a straightforward route to enhance device performance but also provides new insights into the role of small molecules in influencing the structural order of organic semiconducting films at interfaces.

Authors with CRIS profile

Giovanni Mariano Beneventi Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie I

Involved external institutions

Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB - CSIC) ES Spain (ES) CELLS ALBA Synchrotron (Consorcio para la Construcción, Equipamiento y Explotación del Laboratorio de Luz de Sincrotrón) ES Spain (ES) Diamond Light Source GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Pancotti, G., Beneventi, G.M., Riera-Galindo, S., Paradinas, M., Kreuzer, M., Siligardi, G.,... Amabilino, D.B. (2026). Supramolecular alignment through one-step simultaneous and synergic blade coating and small molecule interface adsorption in organic solar cell fabrication. EES Solar. https://doi.org/10.1039/d6el00135a

MLA:

Pancotti, Giulia, et al. "Supramolecular alignment through one-step simultaneous and synergic blade coating and small molecule interface adsorption in organic solar cell fabrication." EES Solar (2026).

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