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Improved understanding of fundamental structure–property relationships, particularly the effects of molecular shape and intermolecular packing on film morphology and active layer charge transport characteristics, enables more rational synthesis of new p-type small molecules. Here we investigate a series of small molecules consisting of an acene-based electron-rich core flanked by one or two electron-deficient diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) moieties. Through minor changes in the molecule structures, measurable variations in the crystal structure and sizable differences in macroscopic properties are achieved. The molecular symmetry as well as the conformation of the side chains affects the unit cell packing density and strength of the intermolecular electronic coupling in single crystals of all molecules in this series. The addition of a second DPP unit to the benzodithiophene (BDT) core increases molecular planarity leading to decreased reorganization energy, strong cofacial coupling, and moderate hole mobility (2.7 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1). Increasing the length of the acene core from benzodithiophene to naphthodithiophene (NDT) results in a further reduction in reorganization energy and formation of smaller crystalline domains (∼11 nm) when mixed with PCBM. Decreasing the aspect ratio of the core using a “zig-zag” naphthodithiophene (zNDT) isomer results in the highest hole mobility of 1.3 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 due in part to tight lamellar (d = 13.5 A) and π–π stacking (d = 3.9 A). The hole mobility is directly correlated with the short-circuit current (11.7 mA cm−2) and solar cell efficiency (4.4%) of the highest performing zNDT:PCBM device. For each of these small molecules the calculated π-coupling constant is correlated with the hole mobility as a function of crystal structure and orientation indicating the importance of designing molecules that create extended crystalline networks with maximal π-orbital overlap.

Perylenediimides (PDIs) are among the best performing organic luminescent materials, both in terms of emission efficiency and chemical and photochemical stability because of their rigid, symmetric and planar structure; however, they exhibit very small Stokes shifts. The sizeable reabsorption of the emitted light limits the performances of perylenediimides in imaging applications and luminescent solar concentrators. Perylenemonoimides (PMIs) having an electron donating substituent in one of the free peri positions feature larger Stokes shift values while retaining high chemical stability. The selection of the most appropriate donor, both in terms of electron donating capability and steric demand, boosts emission efficiency and limits reabsorption losses. The synthesis, optical spectroscopy, molecular orbital computations, UPS, electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and multinuclear NMR investigation of a series of PMI derivatives functionalized with donors having different electronic characteristics and steric demands are discussed. Results are relevant for the fabrication of single layer plastic luminescent solar concentrators (LSC).

The influence of solubilizing substituents on the photovoltaic performance and thin-film blend morphology of new benzo[1,2-b:6,5-b']dithiophene (bBDT) based small molecule donor semiconductors is investigated. Solar cells based on bBDT(TDPP)2-PC71BM with two different types of side chains exhibit high power conversion efficiencies, up to 5.53%.

Highly efficient plastic based single layer Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) require the design of luminophores having complete spectral separation between absorption and emission spectra (large Stokes shift). We describe the design, synthesis and characterization of a new perylene dye possessing Stokes shift as high as 300 meV, fluorescent quantum yield in the LSC slab of 70% and high chemical and photochemical stability. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.