Solution-Processed Photovoltaics with a 3,6-Bis(diarylamino)fluoren-9-ylidene Malononitrile

3,6-Bis(N,N-dianisylamino)-fluoren-9-ylidene malononitrile (FMBDAA36) was used as an electron donor material in solution-processed organic photovoltaic devices with configuration ITO/PEDOT:PSS/(1:3[w/w] FMBDAA36:PC71BM)/LiF/Al to give power conversion efficiencies up to 4.1% with open circuit voltage VOC = 0.89 V, short circuit current JSC = 10.35 mA cm–2, and fill factor FF = 44.8%. Conductive atomic force microscopy of the active layer showed granular separation of regions exhibiting easy versus difficult hole transport, consistent with bulk heterojunction type phase separation of FMBDAA36 and PC71BM, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showed pure FMBDAA36 to form columnar π-stacks with a 3.3 Å intermolecular spacing.