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%.