Recent advances in ambient-air-processed organic photovoltaics: Devices design and printing technology

In recent years, high performance organic photovoltaics (OPVs) produced in ambient-air have shown extraordinary potential for commercialization. However, the presence of air components, represented by water and oxygen, makes it difficult to maintain the intrinsic stability of organic photovoltaic materials and the morphological stability of functional layers. Consequently, this phenomenon hinders the fabrication of high-performance devices. Herein, the key paths to realize high-performance air-prepared devices in recent research are reviewed through molecular design, device engineering, and process innovation. The roles of designing and synthesizing novel optoelectronic materials and device structure optimization in air-prepared high-performance OPVs are discussed. In addition, the optimization strategies for OPVs fabricated by printing process are discussed in depth, taking into account the synergistic nature of the printing process for the preparation of OPVs in an air environment. This provides theoretical guidance for high-throughput production of OPV modules.