Unveiling the Microscopic Origin of Non-Radiative Voltage Loss in Organic Solar Cells through a Controlled Multi-Interface Architecture

Wu J, Wang R, Kang X, Yin Z, Zhou Z, Qi J, Lu F, Hui X, An K, Su SJ, Ying L, Brabec C, Li N (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

ACS nano American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 20

Pages Range: 18452-18461

Journal Issue: 25

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6c06137

Abstract

Non-radiative voltage loss (ΔVnr) is a major factor limiting the efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs), yet its microscopic origin remains unclear due to the complex morphology of bulk heterojunction photoactive layers. In this work, we design a triple-layer device configuration that controls the density of donor/acceptor (D/A) interfaces without changing the composition or thickness of the photoactive layer. This strategy decouples interfacial characteristics, material parameters, and device performance, allowing us to direct probe their intrinsic relationships. We find that ΔVnr originates not only from carrier lifetime effects but also from thermodynamic redistribution between locally excited (LE) and charge-transfer (CT) states. Increasing the density of D/A interfaces broadens the excitonic density of states, reduces the activation energy for LE-to-CT conversion, and enhances recombination via non-radiative CT channels. Strong correlations among Urbach energy (EU), activation energy, and ΔVnr highlight their critical role in governing voltage losses in OSCs. Our results clarify the microscopic mechanisms behind non-radiative losses and offer a general design strategy to suppress ΔVnr in next-generation OSCs.

Authors with CRIS profile

Rong Wang Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Christoph Brabec Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET)

Involved external institutions

South China University of Technology (SCUT) / 华南理工大学

China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Wu, J., Wang, R., Kang, X., Yin, Z., Zhou, Z., Qi, J.,... Li, N. (2026). Unveiling the Microscopic Origin of Non-Radiative Voltage Loss in Organic Solar Cells through a Controlled Multi-Interface Architecture. ACS nano, 20(25), 18452-18461. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6c06137

MLA:

Wu, Jialin, et al. "Unveiling the Microscopic Origin of Non-Radiative Voltage Loss in Organic Solar Cells through a Controlled Multi-Interface Architecture." ACS nano 20.25 (2026): 18452-18461.

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