Organic Semiconductor Compounds for Blue-Range Solar Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic semiconducting materials do not fully cover the blue spectral range, limiting the absorption spectrum and efficiency of solar cells, particularly in tandem and triplet cells.

Innovation Solution

A combination of specific molecular structures represented by the general formula I, featuring a conjugated π-electron system extended by donor blocks T1, T2, T3, and T4, linked with electron-withdrawing groups A1 and A2, enhancing optical density and absorption in the visible spectrum, especially between 400 nm and 600 nm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing organic semiconducting materials are used, then the device structure is simple, but the absorption spectrum is not fully covered in the blue spectral range and efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption spectrum coverageVSAvoidmolecular structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining electron-donating groups (M and N) with electron-withdrawing groups (A1 and A2) to create a composite molecular structure with formula I. This composite approach enables broad absorption coverage from 400-600 nm while maintaining structural organization through defined connection patterns, resolving the contradiction between absorption versatility and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by assigning specific functional roles to different parts of the molecule: groups M and N provide electron donation at specific positions, while groups A1 and A2 provide electron withdrawal at terminal positions. This localized functional distribution enables targeted absorption enhancement in the blue spectral range without requiring complete redesign of the entire molecular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If absorbers with strong absorption in 400-600 nm range are designed, then absorption efficiency increases, but molecular structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption efficiencyVSAvoidmolecular structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the types and positions of electron-donating groups (M and N) and electron-withdrawing groups (A1 and A2) within the molecular formula I. This parameter optimization enables tuning of absorption efficiency in the 400-600 nm range while maintaining a consistent structural framework, thus improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If compounds with extended conjugated π-electron system are used, then optical density increases, but synthesis complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical densityVSAvoidsynthesis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements segmentation by dividing the conjugated π-electron system into distinct modular components: electron-donating groups (M and N) connected through defined linkages, and electron-withdrawing groups (A1 and A2). This segmentation allows the extended conjugated system to achieve high optical density while enabling modular synthesis approaches that reduce overall synthesis complexity compared to creating entirely new conjugated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compounds exhibit high optical density and broad absorption, increasing open-circuit voltage and efficiency of solar cells, suitable for vacuum processing, and are applicable in tandem and triplet cells.

Implementation Method 1

The compounds according to the invention exhibit surprisingly good absorption behavior in a comparatively broad range of visible light from 400 nm to 800 nm, preferably from 400 nm to 700 nm, and in particular, high absorption in the short-wavelength spectral range from 400 nm to 600 nm.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

Solar cells or photodetectors have a photoactive layer in which bound electron-hole pairs (excitons) are generated as charge carriers when electromagnetic radiation is incident.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic Effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4272270B1Compound and its use in organic electronic devices
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HELIATEK GMBH
  • EP4272270B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4272270B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4272270B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a compound of the general formula (I), a use of such a compound in an organic electronic device, and an organic electronic device comprising such a compound.