biostudies-literatureHe QU.S. Department of EnergyKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyEPSRCOffice of Naval ResearchEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Councile2414042https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11923974biostudies-literatureUnknown12(11)Most current highly efficient organic solar cells utilize small molecules like Y6 and its derivatives as electron acceptors in the photoactive layer. In this work, a small molecule acceptor, SC8-IT4F, is developed through outer side chain engineering on the terminal thiophene of a conjugated 6,12-dihydro-dithienoindeno[2,3-d:2',3'-d']-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b']dithiophene (IDTT) central core. Compared to the reference molecule C8-IT4F, which lacks outer side chains, SC8-IT4F displays notable differences in molecule geometry (as shown by simulations), thermal behavior, single-crystal packing, and film morphology. Blend films of SC8-IT4F and the polymer donor PM6 exhibit larger carrier mobilities, longer carrier lifetimes, and reduced recombination compared to C8-IT4F, resulting in improved deAdvanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)Significant Efficiency Enhancements in Non-Y Series Acceptors by the Addition of Outer Side Chains.PMC11923974DE‐AC02‐05CH11231EP/VO48686/1DE-AC02-05CH11231N000142412104ORFS-CRG11-2022-5045ORFS‐CRG11‐2022‐5045Laquai FDing BHeeney MHu XAde HGlocklhofer FWhite AJPHe QKafourou PFei ZAnthopoulos TDHadmojo WTLee BDe Castro CSPAlthobaiti WMukherjee SAlqurashi MLuke JGorenflot JfalseSignificant Efficiency Enhancements in Non-Y Series Acceptors by the Addition of Outer Side Chains.Most current highly efficient organic solar cells utilize small molecules like Y6 and its derivatives as electron acceptors in the photoactive layer. In this work, a small molecule acceptor, SC8-IT4F, is developed through outer side chain engineering on the terminal thiophene of a conjugated 6,12-dihydro-dithienoindeno[2,3-d:2',3'-d']-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b']dithiophene (IDTT) central core. Compared to the reference molecule C8-IT4F, which lacks outer side chains, SC8-IT4F displays notable differences in molecule geometry (as shown by simulations), thermal behavior, single-crystal packing, and film morphology. Blend films of SC8-IT4F and the polymer donor PM6 exhibit larger carrier mobilities, longer carrier lifetimes, and reduced recombination compared to C8-IT4F, resulting in improved de2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2025-04-04T00:06:29.129Z2025-04-04T00:06:29.129ZS-EPMC119239743984061510.1002/advs.202414042