High-Performance Solution-Processed Solar Cells and Ambipolar Behavior in Organic Field-Effect Transistors with Thienyl-BODIPY Scaffoldings

Green-absorbing dipyrromethene dyes engineered from bis-vinyl-thienyl
modules are planar molecules, exhibiting strong absorption in the
713–724 nm range and displaying comparable electron and hole
mobilities in thin films (maximum value 1 × 10–3 cm2/(V·s)). Bulk heterojunction solar cells assembled
with these dyes and a fullerene derivative (PC61BM) at
a low ratio give a power conversion efficiency as high as 4.7%, with
short-circuit current values of 14.2 mA/cm2, open-circuit
voltage of 0.7 V, and a broad external quantum efficiency ranging
from 350 to 920 nm with a maximum value of 60%.