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A Self-Assembling Shortcut to Better Organic Solar Cells

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have engineered a donor‑acceptor‑donor molecule, TISQ, that self‑assembles into built‑in p/n junctions essential for organic thin‑film solar cells. Depending on solvent polarity, TISQ forms nanoparticle‑like J‑type aggregates or fibrous H‑type aggregates, each exhibiting distinct charge‑transport behavior. Devices using J‑type structures generate nearly twice the photocurrent of H‑type counterparts, demonstrating that molecular self‑assembly can directly modulate photovoltaic performance. Although current power conversion efficiencies remain modest, the work offers a scalable route to printable, flexible solar technologies.