Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for organic photovoltaics

Hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) is a disc-shaped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with remarkable self-association properties. Solution processable alkyl substituted HBC compounds often exhibit discotic liquid crystalline behavior and have been shown to carry charges efficiently in bulk. In recent years, fluorenyl HBC (FHBC) compounds have emerged as promising materials for organic photovoltaics. The fluorene substituent imparts solution processability while maintaining good charge transport characteristics. Power conversion efficiency close to 3% has been reported for organic solar cell devices containing FHBC materials.