Electron Acceptors in Organic Solar Cells

Abstract

The power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells has reached over 18%. The rapid increase in the efficiency is largely associated with the development of electron acceptors paired with proper electron donor polymers. In this mini review, the progress of organic solar cells is reviewed in terms of the development of electron acceptors. In the first part of the review, fullerene-based electron acceptors that have led the first half of organic solar cell development were dealt with. In the second part of it, nonfullerene-based electron acceptors, which have potentials to overcome the demerits of fullerene-based electron acceptors and opened a new era of organic solar cells, were introduced. Lastly, some suggestions to tackle the efficiency barrier of 20% are given with the summary of the review in the closing section. ? 2022 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. All rights reserved.