Effects of end-group modifications of A2-A1-D-A1-A2 type of four-bladed
propeller-like non-fullerene acceptors on optoelectronic properties: a
computational analysis
Abstract
Small-molecule non-fullerene acceptors (SM-NFAs) featuring a
three-dimensional and four-bladed propeller-like structure have gained
attention due to their unique molecular framework as guest component in
ternary organic solar cells (TOSCs). However, there is currently a
scarcity of theoretical research into the photovoltaic properties of
these SM-NFAs. This gap is especially pronounced when it comes to
comprehending how modifications to their end groups (EGs) influence
their electronic structures. In this work, SF-BTA1, SF-BTA2, and SF-BTA3
SM-NFA are selected since they have been experimentally synthesized and
have different impacts on the performance of TOSCs. Using density
functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT), we have computed
and analyzed their ground state and excited state properties, including
molecular planarity, electrostatic potential maps and their
corresponding fluctuations, dipole moments, frontier molecular orbitals,
electron-hole distributions, UV-Vis absorption spectra, singlet-triplet
energy gap difference (∆E ST), and exciton binding
energy, as well as the open-circuit voltage of OSCs based on these
four-bladed propeller-like molecules. The theoretical results align well
with experimental data. Furthermore, as a guest acceptor, SF-BTA1
exhibits the smallest electrostatic potential fluctuations and
singlet-triplet energy gap (∆E ST). This implies that
these two factors could play crucial roles in evaluating whether a
four-bladed propeller-like molecule is suitable to serve as an effective
guest acceptor. Our results not only unveil the underlying mechanism
about the roles of these NFAs in TOSCs but also provide valuable
insights for the further design and optimization of highly efficient
TOSCs.