High‐Molecular‐Weight Polymer Donors Based on Bithiophene Imide for High‐Efficiency and Durable All‐Polymer Solar Cells

Abstract High‐molecular‐weight (high‐MW) polymer semiconductors are pivotal in advancing all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs), known for their excellent device stability and mechanical resilience. However, the development of high‐MW polymer donors ( P D s) faces challenges due to the scarcity of suitable polymer backbones that ensure both high MW and optimal solubility, along with well‐controlled miscibility with polymer acceptors ( P A s). Herein, a series of bithiophene imide (BTI)‐based P D s with high number‐average molecular weights ranging from 120.3 to 145.5 kDa are developed, offering improved molecular aggregation property and optimized P D : P A miscibility. Notably, polymer PBTI‐OD, featuring a 2‐octadecyldodecyl side chain on the BTI moiety, exhibited superior blending character and optimal morphology with P A s, outperforming its 2‐hexyldecyl and 2‐decyltetradecyl analogues (PBTI‐HD and PBTI‐DT). As a result, PBTI‐OD achieved impressive power conversion efficiencies of 18.47% and 19.20% in binary and ternary devices, respectively. Furthermore, a progressive enhancement in device stability and mechanical robustness is realized from PBTI‐HD to PBTI‐OD and to PBTI‐DT, enabled by the longer alkyl chain and higher polymer MW. These results underscore the great potential of BTI‐based molecular backbones to construct high‐MW P D s for highly efficient and durable all‐PSCs, paving the way for next‐generation solar energy technologies.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Materials Technologies
Published
2025-04-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202500148
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Organic Electronics and Photovoltaics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.46

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

High‐Molecular‐Weight Polymer Donors Based on Bithiophene Imide for High‐Efficiency and Durable All‐Polymer Solar Cells

Sergio Gámez‐Valenzuela, Huiliang Sun, Qingqing Bai, Junyi Lu et al.
2 citations
Advanced Materials Technologies
Organic Electronics and Photovoltaics
1.46
article

High‐Molecular‐Weight Polymer Donors Based on Bithiophene Imide for High‐Efficiency and Durable All‐Polymer Solar Cells

Sergio Gámez‐Valenzuela, Huiliang Sun, Qingqing Bai, Junyi Lu, Bin Liu, Sang Young Jeong, Han Young Woo, Xiage Zhang, Xugang Guo, Jin‐Woo Lee, Jiahao Chen, Bumjoon J. Kim, Changjing Xu, Jie Yang
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Abstract High‐molecular‐weight (high‐MW) polymer semiconductors are pivotal in advancing all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs), known for their excellent device stability and mechanical resilience. However, the development of high‐MW polymer donors ( P D s) faces challenges due to the scarcity of suitable polymer backbones that ensure both high MW and optimal solubility, along with well‐controlled miscibility with polymer acceptors ( P A s). Herein, a series of bithiophene imide (BTI)‐based P D s with high number‐average molecular weights ranging from 120.3 to 145.5 kDa are developed, offering improved molecular aggregation property and optimized P D : P A miscibility. Notably, polymer PBTI‐OD, featuring a 2‐octadecyldodecyl side chain on the BTI moiety, exhibited superior blending character and optimal morphology with P A s, outperforming its 2‐hexyldecyl and 2‐decyltetradecyl analogues (PBTI‐HD and PBTI‐DT). As a result, PBTI‐OD achieved impressive power conversion efficiencies of 18.47% and 19.20% in binary and ternary devices, respectively. Furthermore, a progressive enhancement in device stability and mechanical robustness is realized from PBTI‐HD to PBTI‐OD and to PBTI‐DT, enabled by the longer alkyl chain and higher polymer MW. These results underscore the great potential of BTI‐based molecular backbones to construct high‐MW P D s for highly efficient and durable all‐PSCs, paving the way for next‐generation solar energy technologies.

Advanced Materials TechnologiesVol. 10(12)
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KR), Korea University (KR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Southern University of Science and Technology (CN), Guangzhou University (CN), Shenzhen Metro (China) (CN), Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry (CN), Gannan Normal University (CN), State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 17%
Organic Electronics and Photovoltaics
1.46
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.