Synthesis of two A-B-C type conjugated amphiphilic triblock fullerene derivatives and their application in organic solar cells

Two A-B-C type conjugated amphiphilic triblock fullerene derivatives C₆₀-2HMTPB and C₆₀-2EHTPB were obtained in multi steps synthesis with three different blocks, and the amphiphilic diblock molecular C₆₀-4TPB was also preferred as a reference. When as modifying layer on zinc oxide (ZnO), the three fullerene derivatives can all reduce the work function of ZnO via modulation of the interfacial dipoles and lead a better electrical coupling. As introducing treatment of toluene, the obvious self-assembly of fullerene derivatives were observed, which were supported by X-ray diffraction and contact angle of water measurement. Base on PTB7-Th:PC₇₁BM system, the inverted organic solar cells devices with structure of ITO/ZnO/fullerene derivatives/PTB7-Th:PC₇₁BM/MoO₃/Al got power conversion efficiencies of 8.62%, 8.83% and 9.00% for C₆₀-4TPB, C₆₀-2HMTPB and C₆₀-2EHTPB, respectively, compared 8.13% of devices with bare ZnO. The result of conjugated amphiphilic triblock fullerene derivatives provides a straightforward approaching by simultaneously modulating the morphology and interfacial work function of ZnO, which can also lead high performance in optoelectronic devices.