Article

Researchers from Dongguk University and Korea University have developed a novel material using benzene-phosphonic acid (BPA) that integrates organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and organic photodetectors (OPDs) into a single device. BPA serves as a hole transport layer (HTL), facilitating efficient energy harvesting and photodetection.

It provides optimal energy-level alignment, enhancing power conversion efficiency under indoor lighting while blocking noise during photodetection. BPA offers substantial ambient stability, is compatible with scalable deposition techniques, and has a high power-to-cost ratio, making it suitable for IoT sensor networks. This advancement can reduce reliance on batteries and electronic waste, promoting sustainability in smart environments.