Dual Function of the Third Component in Ternary Organic Solar Cells: Broaden the Spectrum and Optimize the Morphology

Ternary organic solar cells (T-OSCs) have attracted significant attention as high-performance devices. In recent years, T-OSCs have achieved remarkable progress with power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeding 19%. However, the introduction of the third component complicates the intermolecular interaction compared to the binary blend, resulting in poor controllability of active layer and limiting performance improvement. To address these issues, dual-functional third components have been developed that not only broaden the spectral range but also optimize morphology. In this review, the effect of the third component on expanding the absorption range of T-OSCs is first discussed. Second, the extra functions of the third component are introduced, including adjusting the crystallinity and molecular stack in active layer, regulating phase separation and purity, altering molecular orientation of the donor or acceptor. Finally, a summary of the current research progress is provided, followed by a discussion of future research directions. Adding the third component into binary organic solar cells is an effective strategy to break through the device performance. This review introduces a special kind of third component, i.e., dual-functional third components. It not only broaden spectral range but also optimize morphology of active layer, including the molecular orientation, crystallinity, domain size, domain purity, and so on. image