Journal Article

An Unprecedented Efficiency with Approaching 21% Enabled by Additive-Assisted Layer-by-Layer Processing in Organic Solar Cells

Sun, Yanna, Li, Ning, Gao, Ke, Ye, Long, Xu, Shuai, Yao, Zhaoyang, Zuo, Lijian, Zhang, Youdi, Cheng, Pei

2025

Overview

Highlights Additive-assisted layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition enables organic solar cells to achieve an unprecedented power conversion efficiency of 20.8%, the highest efficiency to date. The gradient fibrillar morphology enabled by additive-assisted LBL processing promotes the formation of bulk p-i-n structure, improving exciton and carrier diffusion, and reducing recombination losses. The wrinkle pattern morphology achieved by additive-assisted LBL processing is constructed to enhance the light capture capability. Recently published in Joule, Feng Liu and colleagues from Shanghai Jiaotong University reported a record-breaking 20.8% power conversion efficiency in organic solar cells (OSCs) with an interpenetrating fibril network active layer morphology, featuring a bulk p-i-n structure and proper vertical segregation achieved through additive-assisted layer-by-layer deposition. This optimized hierarchical gradient fibrillar morphology and optical management synergistically facilitates exciton diffusion, reduces recombination losses, and enhances light capture capability. This approach not only offers a solution to achieving high-efficiency devices but also demonstrates the potential for commercial applications of OSCs.

• Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore,Springer Nature B.V,SpringerOpen
• Subject: Additive-assisted layer-by-layer processing / Bulk p-i-n structure / Carrier recombination / Deposition / Diffusion layers / Editorial / Efficiency / Energy / Energy conversion efficiency / Engineering / Excitons / Morphology / Nanoscale Science and Technology / Nanotechnology / Nanotechnology and Microengineering / Optical management / Organic solar cells / Photovoltaic cells / Solar cells / Three-dimensional fibril morphology