To Maximize Luminescence for an Efficient Organic Solar Cell†

Comprehensive Summary

With the continuous development of photovoltaic materials, organic solar cells (OSCs) have made remarkable advancements, surpassing a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20%. However, the PCEs of OSCs remain lower than that of inorganic solar cells due to significant energy losses, mainly stemming from the relatively large non-radiative recombination losses (usually be expressed as ∆E₃), resulting in low open-circuit voltages. This can be achieved by reducing non-radiative recombination, and hereby increasing the electroluminescence quantum efficiency (EQE_EL) of the photo-active layer. This review analyzes the significance of luminescence efficiency in achieving high-performance OSCs by examining the reciprocal relationship between ∆E₃ and EQE_EL. High-efficiency organic solar cells can also be used as effective organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The discussion provides insights into the influencing factors of EQE_EL and the mechanisms for adjusting various parameters, which include enhancements in photoluminescence quantum yield and the proportion of radiative excitons. The objective is to offer insights into the crucial role of luminescence performance in OSC development, guiding researchers toward developing novel photovoltaic materials or optimization strategies to enhance the luminescence performance of the active layer in OSCs, fostering the simultaneous advancement of OSCs and OLEDs.

Key Scientists