Aryl end-capped quaterthiophenes applied as anode interfacial layers in inverted organic solar cells

Four aryl end-capped quaterthiophene derivatives were synthesized and their material properties were studied by computational, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and thermoanalytical methods. Compounds were applied as interfacial layers between the bulk heterojunction active layer and Ag anode in inverted organic solar cells. Results show that p-cyanophenyl end-capped quaterthiophene with hexyl side chains increases both the short circuit current density and power conversion efficiency notably compared to reference interlayer material, tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum. The improved cell performance was attributed to the optimal positions of the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of this material, relative to those of the photoactive electron donor poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Ag anode, and evenly distributed LUMO. In addition, the use of these materials as an anode interfacial layer increases the absorption of the solar cell, which could contribute to the formation of excitons and additional current production by the cell.