Cost-effective poly(3-alkylthiophene)-based organic photovoltaics: advancing solar energy conversion and photodetection technologies.

Journal: Materials horizons
Published Date: Aug 1, 2025

Abstract

Poly(3-alkylthiophene)s (P3ATs), particularly poly(3-hexylthiophene) are cornerstone materials for organic photovoltaics, bridging efficiency, scalability, and solution processability. This article systematically outlines advancements in P3AT-based organic solar cells (OSCs) and photodetectors (OPDs), focusing on materials physics principles, structure-property relationships, and application-driven optimization. Innovations in polymerization methods enable high regioregularity and eco-friendly production. Critical structural parameters-molecular weight, regioregularity, and side-chain topology-are dissected, with strategically tailored molecular weight/regioregularity and alkyl chains optimizing charge transport and morphology. Dual donor/acceptor blending, solvent engineering, and post-processing strategies further enhance device performance, achieving high efficiency for OSCs and specific detectivities exceeding 10 Jones for OPDs. Photomultiplication mechanisms and spectral engineering enable ultrahigh responsivity (EQE >770 000%) and narrowband detection. Application-oriented designs, including intrinsically stretchable all-polymer systems and semi-transparent architectures, highlight P3ATs' versatility in wearable electronics and building-integrated photovoltaics. Future directions emphasize truly green solvents, simplified acceptors, and machine learning-guided material design to advance commercialization. By synergizing material innovation with scalable processing, P3ATs and their close variants offer a sustainable pathway for next-generation optoelectronics, balancing performance, stability, and environmental impact.

Authors

  • Kai Zhang
    Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Respiratory Tumor and Infectious Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, China.
  • Mengyuan Gao
    Agronomy College of Henan Agriculture University/State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China.
  • Junjiang Wu
    School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuits, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, State key Laboratory of Advanced Materials for Intelligent Sensing, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China. yelong@tju.edu.cn.
  • Chunlong Sun
    School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuits, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, State key Laboratory of Advanced Materials for Intelligent Sensing, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China. yelong@tju.edu.cn.
  • Wenchao Zhao
    Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
  • Diyora Urazkulova
    Institute of Ion-Plasma and Laser Technologies, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent 100125, Uzbekistan.
  • Vakhobjon Kuvondikov
    Institute of Ion-Plasma and Laser Technologies, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent 100125, Uzbekistan.
  • Sherzod Nematov
    Karshi State Technical University, 225 Mustakillik, Karshi, 180100, Uzbekistan.
  • Long Ye
    School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuits, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, State key Laboratory of Advanced Materials for Intelligent Sensing, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China. yelong@tju.edu.cn.

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