Optimizing self-assembled monolayers with a thiophene linker for efficient and durable flexible organic solar cells

The practical implementation of flexible organic solar cells is currently impeded by the intrinsic limitations of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Here, a SAM with a thiophene bridge and two carbazole moieties is designed (Th-4PACz). Consequently, Th-4PACz-based devices exhibit superior performance and mechanical durability on both rigid (19.8%) and flexible (18.4%) substrates, respectively.