Synthesis of Bioinspired Curcuminoid Small Molecules for Solution-Processed Organic Solar Cells with High Open-Circuit Voltage

Borondifluoride
complexes of curcuminoid derivatives end-capped
with triphenylamine groups were designed for solution-processed bulk-heterojunction
organic solar cells. They were obtained very simply in a one-pot synthesis
from cheap building blocks. Compared to push–pull systems based
on borondifluoride complexes of hydroxychalcones, curcuminoids present
the donor–acceptor–donor electronic structure and exhibit
significantly improved chemical and thermal stability and photovoltaic
performance. Indeed, power conversion efficiency up to 4.14% and high
open-circuit voltage over 1.0 V have been achieved using PC61BM as acceptor.