biostudies-literatureKim JNational Research Foundation of KoreaGwangju Institute of Science and Technology31867-31876https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9072745biostudies-literatureUnknown9(55)Carbazole-based conjugated small molecule electrolytes (CSEs) containing different numbers of amine groups were synthesized and applied to bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells for the formation of a spontaneous self-assembled electron transporting layer (ETL). The active layer was spin-coated with a mixture solution containing the BHJ materials and a small amount of CSE, and a thin layer of CSE was formed underneath the active layer (CSE/BHJ bi-layer) <i>via</i> spontaneous phase separation, which is confirmed by the depth profile of the time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) spectrum. The amino groups in the CSEs form hydrogen-bonds with the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO), which acts as an ETL in BHJ solar cells. Moreover, the formed CSE layer is capable of RSC advancesSynthesis and application of amine-containing conjugated small molecules for the automatic formation of an electron transporting layer <i>via</i> spontaneous phase separation from the bulk-heterojunction layer.PMC9072745NRF-2015M1A2A2057510NRF-2017R1A2B4012490Kim HSuh HLee KJin JSBack HKim JSung JYKim MKim YRfalseSynthesis and application of amine-containing conjugated small molecules for the automatic formation of an electron transporting layer <i>via</i> spontaneous phase separation from the bulk-heterojunction layer.Carbazole-based conjugated small molecule electrolytes (CSEs) containing different numbers of amine groups were synthesized and applied to bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells for the formation of a spontaneous self-assembled electron transporting layer (ETL). The active layer was spin-coated with a mixture solution containing the BHJ materials and a small amount of CSE, and a thin layer of CSE was formed underneath the active layer (CSE/BHJ bi-layer) <i>via</i> spontaneous phase separation, which is confirmed by the depth profile of the time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) spectrum. The amino groups in the CSEs form hydrogen-bonds with the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO), which acts as an ETL in BHJ solar cells. Moreover, the formed CSE layer is capable of 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Oct2025-06-01T02:41:17.976Z2024-11-15T13:19:25.596ZS-EPMC90727453553077610.1039/c9ra06293a