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Polymers
Volume 18
Issue 12
10.3390/polym18121435
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Dual-Step Solvent Vapor Annealing for Improved Morphology Control in Sequentially Deposited Organic Solar Cells

by
Mai Mao
1,
Yuwei Hu
1,
Lidong Liang
1,
Tong Chen
1,
Yitong Ji
1,
Xueyuan Yang
1,2,
Xiaoxiao You
1,* and
Wenchao Huang
1,*
1
Key State Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
2
Chaozhou Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Chaozhou 521000, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Polymers 2026, 18(12), 1435; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18121435 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 16 April 2026 / Revised: 8 May 2026 / Accepted: 9 May 2026 / Published: 8 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Sequential deposition (SD) processing offers advantages for morphology optimization of active layer and device stability in organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the insufficient solvent resistance of polymer donor layers often leads to uncontrolled interfacial mixing. Herein, we report a dual-step solvent vapor annealing (D-SVA) strategy to address this limitation, without requiring thermal annealing, making it suitable for ultrathin flexible OSCs. Sequential chlorobenzene (CB) and carbon disulfide (CS2) vapor treatments enhance the molecular ordering and solvent resistance of the underlying donor layer, while reducing residual solvent and improving interfacial properties. As a result, the rigid SD processed OSCs achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.3%. Moreover, ultrathin flexible devices deliver a PCE of 17.3% with good mechanical stability. This work provides a general and scalable pathway toward high-performance and stable SD organic solar cells.
Keywords: organic solar cells; sequential deposition; dual-step solvent vapor annealing; morphology control; ultrathin flexible devices organic solar cells; sequential deposition; dual-step solvent vapor annealing; morphology control; ultrathin flexible devices

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MDPI and ACS Style

Mao, M.; Hu, Y.; Liang, L.; Chen, T.; Ji, Y.; Yang, X.; You, X.; Huang, W. Dual-Step Solvent Vapor Annealing for Improved Morphology Control in Sequentially Deposited Organic Solar Cells. Polymers 2026, 18, 1435. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18121435

AMA Style

Mao M, Hu Y, Liang L, Chen T, Ji Y, Yang X, You X, Huang W. Dual-Step Solvent Vapor Annealing for Improved Morphology Control in Sequentially Deposited Organic Solar Cells. Polymers. 2026; 18(12):1435. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18121435

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mao, Mai, Yuwei Hu, Lidong Liang, Tong Chen, Yitong Ji, Xueyuan Yang, Xiaoxiao You, and Wenchao Huang. 2026. "Dual-Step Solvent Vapor Annealing for Improved Morphology Control in Sequentially Deposited Organic Solar Cells" Polymers 18, no. 12: 1435. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18121435

APA Style

Mao, M., Hu, Y., Liang, L., Chen, T., Ji, Y., Yang, X., You, X., & Huang, W. (2026). Dual-Step Solvent Vapor Annealing for Improved Morphology Control in Sequentially Deposited Organic Solar Cells. Polymers, 18(12), 1435. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18121435

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