Optoelectronic analysis of designed semi-circular shaped thiophene-based bridged Y-series NFAs for organic solar cell applications

• Published in: Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy, 2025-01, Vol.324, p.125022, Article 125022
• Main Authors: Ayub, Ali Raza, Akram, Waqas, Yaqoob, Umer, Salba, Maqsood, Nimra, Rafiq, Sidra, Nabat, Karim Youssef, Anwer, Arslan, Somaily, H.H., Alansari, Abdulkarim, Iqbal, Javed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DFT; Hole transport materials; Solar cells
• ISSN: 1386-1425
• DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.125022

[Display omitted] •Thiophene based bridged Y-Series based NFAs with excellent coherence.•The thiophene bridged derivatives possess narrowed bandgap with large bathochromic shift and broader absorption spectra.•Effective π-π stacking and drastically lower binding energy which certify facile charge dissociation and transmission rate.•Enhanced solubility.•Theoretically simulated PCE approached benchmark 31.49 % owing to the higher-lying LUMOs. The highly adaptable optoelectronic and morphological properties of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) have made them a prominent research topic in the organic solar cell (OSC) field. This work describes the design of new molecules and investigates the potential optoelectronic aspects of remodified Y-series NFAs endowing with five new semi-circular shaped derivatives (BTPB1-BTPB5) based on the DFT-based quantum simulations. The designed molecules possess higher-lying LUMO energy levels with narrowed bandgaps and excellent coherence between the acceptor and core via inserted bridges. The molecules demonstrate a significant red shift and a wide-ranging absorption spectrum extending from 400 nm to 1500 nm, with the most extensive absorption occurring in the near-infrared (NIR) region. Effective π-π stacking and drastically lower binding energy certify facile charge dissociation and transmission rate. Thiophene-based bridge modification decreased reorganization energy by 47 % which results in facile charge transmission and high current density. Theoretically, simulated PCE is achieved as high as 31.49 % owing to the higher-lying LUMOs. The results demonstrate the value of designing systems and exploring new possibilities for developing effective Y-series NFAs-based high-performance organic solar cells.