Solution-processed bulk-heterojunction organic solar cell based on a furanbridged thiazolo [5,4-D]thiazole based D-π-A-π-D type linear chromophore

Furan-bridged thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole based π-conjugated organic chromophore (RFTzR) is formulated and utilizes for small molecule organic solar cells (SMOSCs). The presence of furan spacer along with two terminal alkyl units significantly improves its absorption and solubility in the common organic solvents. RFTzR exhibits the reasonable HOMO and LUMO energy levels of -5.36 eV and -3.14 eV, respectively. The fabricated SMOSCs with RFTzR (donor) and PC60BM (acceptor) as photoactive materials presents relatively high power conversion efficiency of ~2.72% (RFTzR: PC60BM, 2:1, w/w) along with good open-circuit voltage of ~0.756 V and high photocurrent density of ~10.13 mA cm^-2, which might attribute to its improved absorption, electrochemical properties and the presence of strong electron-withdrawing furan moieties.