Theoretical framework for achieving high <i>V</i>_oc in non-fused non-fullerene terthiophene-based end-capped modified derivatives for potential applications in organic photovoltaics

Abstract

Non-fused ring-based OSCs are an excellent choice, which is attributed to their low cost and flexibility in applications. However, developing efficient and stable non-fused ring-based OSCs is still a big challenge. In this work, with the intent to increase <i>V</i> _oc for enhanced performance, seven new molecules derived from a pre-existing A-D-A type A3T-5 molecule are proposed. Different important optical, electronic and efficiency-related attributes of molecules are studied using the DFT approach. It is discovered that newly devised molecules possess the optimum features required to construct proficient OSCs. They possess a small band gap ranging from 2.22-2.29 eV and planar geometries. Six of seven newly proposed molecules have less excitation energy, a higher absorption coefficient and higher dipole moment than A3T-5 in both gaseous and solvent phases. The A3T-7 molecule exhibited the maximum improvement in optoelectronic properties showing the highest <i>λ</i> _max at 697 nm and the lowest <i>E</i> _x of 1.77 eV. The proposed molecules have lower ionization potential values, reorganization energies of electrons and interaction coefficients than the A3T-5 molecule. The <i>V</i> _oc of six newly developed molecules is higher (<i>V</i> _oc ranging from 1.46-1.72 eV) than that of A3T-5 (<i>V</i> _oc = 1.55 eV). Similarly, almost all the proposed molecules except W6 exhibited improvement in fill factor compared to the A3T-5 reference. This remarkable improvement in efficiency-associated parameters (<i>V</i> _oc and FF) proves that these molecules can be successfully used as an advanced version of terthiophene-based OSCs in the future.