Three-Dimensionally Homoconjugated Carbon-Bridged Oligophenylenevinylene for Perovskite Solar Cells

Stabilization of the radical cationic state of a donor molecule by 3-D homoconjugation was probed using a substituted carbon-bridged oligophenylenevinylene backbone (COPV, or 5,5-diarylindeno[2,1-a]indenes). For molecules bearing electron-donating groups as the 5,5-aryl moieties, a one-electron oxidation of the COPV backbone results in delocalization of the cationic charge over the whole molecule with a small reorganization energy. The compounds forming a stable radical cation by 3-D homoconjugation produce a uniform amorphous film and show high short-circuit current, high fill factor, and hence high power-conversion efficiency when used as a hole-transporting layer of an organic–inorganic hybrid lead perovskite solar cell. This material thus shows a performance and stability in air comparable to those obtained with the benchmark material, spiro-MeOTAD.