Azulene Bridged pi-Distorted Chromophores: The Influence of Structural Symmetry on Optoelectrochemical and Photovoltaic Parameters

Conjugated chromophores possessing pi-twisted functionality such as tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) have emerged as promising active layer materials for organic photovoltaics (OPVs). In this study, we disclose the synthesis of two azulenyl chromophores containing one and two TCBD groups. The symmetrical and unsymmetrical structural characteristics of these molecules inflict dissimilar optoelectronic and electrochemical properties. Based on molar absorptivity, aggregation behavior, HOMO-LUMO energies and other quantum chemical parameters, the symmetrical molecule (TATC2) appears to be a better non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) compared to its unsymmetrical counterpart (TATC1). For instance, higher absorptivity and deeper HOMO-LUMO levels for TATC2 (23950 M-1 cm(-1); -6.01 eV/-3.86 eV) over TATC1 (12200 M-1 cm(-1); -5.46 eV/-3.64 eV) was observed. Validating this structure-property relationship on solar cell prototypes exhibited higher photovoltaic parameters (V-OC=0.54 V, FF=0.48, J(SC)=6.42 mA/cm(2)) for TATC2 than TATC1 (V-OC=0.47 V, FF=0.38, J(SC)=5.77 mA/cm(2)). Though the device parameters are not high, this work uncovers the intrinsic properties of azulene-tethered twisted chromophores as potential pi-semiconductor choice for NFA solar cells. In particular, this report explores the utility of azulene-based pi-twisted semiconductors as acceptor material for OPVs with cell efficiencies of 1.70 and 1.04 % for TATC2 and TATC1 respectively.