Functionalized dihydronaphthyl-C60 derivatives as acceptors for efficient polymer solar cells with tunable photovoltaic properties

A class of alkoxy substituted dihydronaphthyl-C60 derivatives, such as 2-methoxy-(5,8)-dihydronaphthyl-(6,7)- [6,6]–C60 (MDNC) and its bisadduct (Bis-MDNC) with high-lying LUMO level, were synthesized and evaluated as electron acceptors in polymer solar cells. Influence of substituent groups (methyloxy, benzyloxy, benzoyloxy, hexyloxy, and 3-ethoxycarbonylpropyloxy) on photovoltaic and electrochemical properties regarding these fullerene derivatives were studied. The polymer bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell using Bis-MDNC blend with poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as photoactive layer showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.58% with an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.83 V, which is superior to the P3HT: PCBM control device (3.25% PCE with Voc of 0.59 V). This work exemplifies a facile functionalization and an alterable photovoltaic behavior susceptible to substituent groups in the dihydronaphthyl-C60 derivatives.

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► The methoxy substituted dihydronaphthyl-C60 bisadduct shows high PCE of 4.58%.
► Facile synthesis of five alkoxy substituted dihydronaphthyl-C60 derivatives.
► Tunable photovoltaic property depending on substituent group of dihydronaphthyl-C60.