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The ternary strategy has proven to be an effective method for improving the efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, designing and selecting the third component still pose challenges. In this study, this issue is addressed by focusing on the PBDB‐T:Y18‐F binary system and introducing a new, strong luminescent, asymmetric small‐molecule acceptor (SMA) called L8‐CBIC‐Cl, which shares a similar skeleton with Y18‐F. The similarity in molecular framework facilitates good compatibility between the two acceptors, resulting in the formation of an alloy‐like acceptor phase. Furthermore, the norbornenyl‐modified end group in L8‐CBIC‐Cl contributes to its strong luminescent properties, which in turn leads to a low non‐radiative energy loss and a high open‐circuit voltage. Consequently, the PBDB‐T:L8‐CBIC‐Cl:Y18‐F based ternary devices realize a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 17.01%, which is higher than PBDB‐T:Y18‐F device (14.49%). Importantly, L8‐CBIC‐Cl exhibits a good universality as a guest acceptor in other three binary systems (D18:Y6, D18:BTP‐eC9‐4F, and D18:L8‐BO). The D18:L8‐BO:L8‐CBIC‐Cl device shows an impressive efficiency of 19%. The work demonstrates that employing SMA with a high PLQY and better miscibility with host acceptor as the third component has a great potential for developing high‐efficiency ternary OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Three small molecular acceptors were designed and synthesized. • Noncovalent Conformational Locks and Side-Chain Engineering can adjust the properties of acceptors. • Significantly different power conversion efficiencies of 12.09%, 12.30% and 14.25% are achieved. Three novel small molecular acceptors (SMAs) BO-2F , BO-C8-2F and BO-C2C6-C8-2F were designed and synthesized. These acceptors all possess planar molecular backbone because of the introduction of intramolecular noncovalent interaction. Among them, BO-C2C6-C8-2F with four side chains, which has the highest solubility, can form more appropriate nanomorphology when blending with PBDB-T. Hence, organic solar cells (OSCs) based on PBDB-T: BO-C2C6-C8-2F displayed an outstanding power convesion efficiency (PCE) of 14.25%, which is higher than BO-2F and BO-C8-2F based ones. To the best of our knowledge, the PCE of 14.25% is one of the highest for the OSCs based on A-π-D-π-A type SMAs. Our results have demonstrated that the combination of side-chain engineering and intramolecular conformation lock has a great prospect in the design of high performance SMAs for OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two simple dithienosilole unit (DTS)-based nonfused small molecular acceptors (SiOC2C6–4F and SiOC2C6–4Cl) using two DTS moieties linked alkoxyl substituted benzene ring as the central core (D) and bis(5,6-difluro-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene-2,1-diylidene)dimalononitrile or bis(5,6-dichloro-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene-2,1-diylidene)dimalononitrile as the end groups have been synthesized. The optical, electrochemical properties and device photovoltaic performance of these two molecules were investigated in detail. DFT results indicates S⋯O interactions involving alkoxyl groups of benzyl rings and thienyl S atoms of DTS can act as conformational "locks" to enhance molecular planarity. when the polymer PBDB-T was chosen as the donor, the PBDB-T: SiOC2C6–4F -based device provided a high PCE of 9.68% with a V oc of 0.90 V, a J sc of 17.02 mA/cm2 and an FF of 63.00%, while the PBDB-T: SiOC2C6–4Cl -based device exhibited a PCE of 11.29% with a V oc of 0.87V, a J sc of 20.35 mA/cm2 and an FF of 63.73%, which is so far the best performance reported for organic photovoltaic using silole-based small-molecule acceptors. Simple Dithienosilole unit based nonfused small molecular acceptors based solar cells exhibited a PCE of 11.29%. Image 1 • Two dithienosilole unit-based nonfused small molecular acceptors were synthesized. • S⋯O interactions can serve as conformational "locks" to enhance π-system coplanarity. • SiOC2C6–4Cl exhibit stronger and broader absorption than that of SiOC2C6–4F. • Organic solar cells based on PBDB-T: SiOC2C6–4Cl provide a PCE of 11.29%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]