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Organic solar cells with 21% efficiency enabled by a hybrid interfacial layer with dual-component synergy

  • Congqi Li
  • , Yunhao Cai*
  • , Pengfei Hu
  • , Tao Liu
  • , Lei Zhu
  • , Rui Zeng
  • , Fei Han
  • , Ming Zhang
  • , Meng Zhang
  • , Jikai Lv
  • , Yuanxin Ma
  • , Dexia Han
  • , Qijie Lin
  • , Jingwen Xu
  • , Na Yu
  • , Jiawei Qiao
  • , Jiarui Wang
  • , Xin Zhang
  • , Jianlong Xia
  • , Zheng Tang
  • Long Ye, Xiaoyi Li, Zihao Xu, Xiaotao Hao, Qian Peng, Feng Liu, Lin Guo*, Hui Huang*
*Corresponding author for this work
  • University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Beihang University
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University
  • CAS - Institute of Chemistry
  • Tianjin University
  • Wuhan University of Technology
  • Donghua University
  • Shandong University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The cathode interfacial layer (CIL) critically influences electron extraction and charge recombination, thereby playing a pivotal role in organic solar cells (OSCs). However, most state-of-the-art CILs are constrained by limited conductivity, high recombination and poor morphology, which collectively hinder device efficiency and stability. Here we report an inorganic–organic hybrid CIL (AZnO-F3N), developed by a dual-component synergy strategy, which integrates organic material PNDIT-F3N with two-dimensional amorphous zinc oxide. This design leverages the synergistic interactions between two-dimensional amorphous zinc oxide and PNDIT-F3N, resulting in reduced interfacial defect, enhanced conductivity and improved film uniformity. OSCs incorporating the AZnO-F3N CIL exhibit more efficient charge extraction and transport, along with reduced recombination. Consequently, a D18:L8-BO-based binary OSC achieves an efficiency of 20.6%. The introduction of BTP-eC9 as the third component further elevates the efficiency to 21.0% (certified as 20.8%). Moreover, the CIL demonstrates versatility across various active layers, thick-film configuration and flexible devices, underscoring its great potential to advance OSC technology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1626-1634
Number of pages9
JournalNature Materials
Volume24
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2025

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