Abstract Small molecular photovoltaic materials, owing to their distinct chemical structures, easier purification and well-reproducible synthesis, have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Furthermore, the structureproperty relationships of these materials are better understandable in comparison with polymeric materials, indicating a better tenability of their properties. In terms of processability, vacuum deposition as well as solution process can be used for small molecular materials in device preparation. Nowadays a large number of small molecular electron-donating materials have been synthesized and applied widely in organic photovoltaics. Remarkable power convert efficiency (PCE) of 6.7% has been achieved for single-junction devices based on small molecules. In this paper, the application of different type small molecular electron donors is reviewed and the future development of these materials is discussed.
2014, Vol. 31 
