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Performance of nonfullerene‐based organic solar cells is largely dependent on the donor:acceptor blend morphology, which is initially tuned by composition. However, morphological design rules are difficult to identify due to the complex relationship between composition‐dependent phase behavior and performance properties. In this study, the authors are able to establish a direct link between PM6:Y6 film morphology and device properties by combining grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering with highly sensitive Fourier transform photocurrent spectroscopy. By analyzing properties across the full composition range, interfacial microstructure and the corresponding charge transfer (CT) states are identified and direct structure–property relationships are established. The results indicate that open‐circuit voltage is controlled by the CT state at amorphous‐PM6:crystalline‐Y6 interfaces. Crystalline Y6 is found to increase both transport and non‐radiative recombination, suggesting that morphological tradeoffs may be necessary for overall device optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic semiconductors have emerged as an attractive class of materials for neuromorphic computing applications, particularly in crossbar arrays for artificial neural network (ANN) accelerators. Here, one of the last persistent challenges facing organic materials for adoption in these applications is addressed by developing a fabrication process capable of lithographically patterning vertical, three‐terminal electrochemical random‐access memories (ECRAMs). Central to the realization of this device architecture is the development of a hybrid electrolyte system: a porous inorganic matrix permeated with an ionic liquid, which enables vertical stacking of the organic semiconductor channel and gate. The resulting stacked hybrid organic/inorganic ECRAMs (SHOEs) exhibit superior dynamic range to comparable lateral devices (>2×), exceptional cycling endurance (>109 Write–Read Cycles), low energy switching (2.7 pJ), and can be fabricated with dimensions limited by lithographic resolution. The fabrication process developed allows for independent control over device channel, electrolyte, and gate dimensions, and by reducing channel lengths down to a single micron, the fabricated devices can operate (Write+Read) at >MHz speeds. Further, the hybrid electrolyte design provides an effective means to confine an ionic liquid for use in other electrolyte‐gated devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In organic mixed ionic–electronic conductors (OMIECs), it is critical to understand the motion of ions in the electrolyte and OMIEC. Generally, the focus is on the movement of net charge during gating, and the motion of neutral anion–cation pairs is seldom considered. Uptake of mobile ion pairs by the semiconductor before electrochemical gating (passive uptake) can be advantageous as this can improve device speed, and both ions can participate in charge compensation during gating. Here, such passive ion pair uptake in high‐speed solid‐state devices is demonstrated using an ion gel electrolyte. This is compared to a polymerized ionic liquid (PIL) electrolyte to understand how ion pair uptake affects device characteristics. Using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the passive uptake of ion pairs from the ion gel into the OMIEC is detected, whereas no uptake is observed with a PIL electrolyte. This is corroborated by X‐ray scattering, which reveals morphological changes to the OMIEC from the uptake of ion pairs. With in situ Raman, a reorganization of both anions and cations is then observed during gating. Finally, the speed and retention of OMIEC‐based neuromorphic devices are tuned by controlling the freedom of charge motion in the electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]