Revealing electron transport connectivity as an important factor influencing stability of organic solar cells
In the pursuit of advancing the commercialization of organic solar cells (OSCs), stability emerges as a paramount challenge. Herein, we show that the electron transport connectivity is a key factor determining the electron transport and device stability of OSCs. When compared to small molecular acceptors (SMAs), the larger-size polymeric acceptors (PAs) are likely to establish an electron transport network with superior connectivity. This enhanced connectivity enables more robust electron transport during potential device degradation. Our findings indicate that PA-integrated devices sustain elevated electron mobilities, even under reduced acceptor ratios (or higher impurity doping) over prolonged device operation. Furthermore, we employ the refined Su-Schrieffer-Heeger tight-binding model, in tandem with a random electron passing test and algebraic connectivity evaluations of molecular configurations, to conclusively validate the pivotal role played by the electron transport connectivity. These revelations are poised to offer new perspectives for material choices and methodologies for improving stability of OSCs.
Authors
- Yingping Zou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1901-7243)
- Xiaoyan Du (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0737-2988)
- Jianyu Yuan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5131-1285)
- Dongcheng Jiang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8851-0026)
- Xinyu Mu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4156-0632)
- Kun Gao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9146-0090)
- Shu Kong So (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0635-8858)
- Mengzhen Sha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6721-0756)
- Chengwang Niu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0012-9368)
- Rongkun Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0958-7579)
- He Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1780-8308)
- Xiaotao Hao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0197-6545)
- Jun Jie Yuan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8265-0239)
- Lik‐Kuen Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3552-8206)
- Haixia Hu
- Hang Yin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2600-7238)
- Yanming Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7839-3199)
- Rui Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1008-5832)
- Ruohua Gui
- Cunquan Qu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8090-2538)
- Lin Lu
- Zhong‐Yuan Lu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0115-4047)
- Weiwei Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7329-4236)
- Chen Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3579-6980)
- Wei Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6665-220X)
- Han Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1936-5328)
- Feng wei Gao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2582-1740)
- Shijie Liang
- Jiangkai Sun
- Jicheng Yi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2192-8441)
- Longlong Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6542-2680)
- Liangliang Cao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6203-1850)
- Shufen Huang
Institutions
- Linköping University (SE)
- Central South University (CN)
- Hong Kong Baptist University (HK)
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK)
- Shandong University (CN)
- Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK)
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HK)
- University of Jinan (CN)
- Soochow University (CN)
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology (CN)
- Shandong University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Beihang University (CN)
- University of Hong Kong (HK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-07-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60599-3
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- Organic Electronics and Photovoltaics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.65
Funders
- Shandong University
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province
- Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality