Efficient Solar Cells Sensitized by Porphyrins with an Extended Conjugation Framework and a Carbazole Donor: From Molecular Design to Cosensitization

Study of the microscopic mechanism of stepwise charge injection in co-sensitive DSSCs in the framework of a D-π-A dye and chlorophyll

The newly synthesized dye molecules TY6 and CXC22 were selected to explain the influence of anthracene and acetylene groups on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the molecules at the microscopic level. Theoretical simulation was carried out to understand the properties of the two molecules, including frontier molecular orbitals, absorption spectra, light absorption efficiency, intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), dye regeneration, I-V prediction, etc. The results suggest that for CXC22, adding an anthracene and acetylene group in the conjugate bridge greatly enhances the molecule's absorption wavelength and molar extinction coefficient; CXC22 also has significant advantages in the intramolecular charge transfer and comparatively better dye regeneration and electron injection. These parameters cause CXC22 to have a higher PCE. Subsequently, CXC22 and the chlorophyll molecule (CHL7) were selected for co-sensitization to regulate performance. The stable structure in the co-sensitization configuration was screened, and the absorption spectrum characteristics and charge transfer mechanisms were revealed for the co-sensitization system. The designed evaluation model predicted that the PCE of CO1 (the cosensitive system of CXC22 and TY6 in H-H configuration is referred to as CO1) could reach 16.78%. This work provides an idea for developing an efficient dye-sensitized solar cell system.

Photoexcited Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Dye Sensitizers: Predictive In Silico Screening for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Devices

Efficient photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) from donor to acceptor in dye molecules is the functional basis and key property in the working of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). To understand the ICT process in photoexcited dye molecules, we analyze the electronic properties and structural parameters of a chosen set of experimentally synthesized donor-acceptor (D-A) and donor-π-spacer-acceptor (D-π-A) type dye molecules in their ground, excited, and cationic states. The correlation between structural modification and charge redistribution in different parts of the molecule helps to identify the extent of π-conjugation and spatial rearrangement of electron density localization along the molecular skeleton. We find that prominent twisting of several groups and the resulting molecular bond rearrangements in larger parts of the molecule promote efficient donor to acceptor ICT, such as in D-A type ADEKA1 and C275 dyes. Thus, based on the modest computation of structural and electronic properties of dye molecules in their respective ground, excited, and cationic states, we identify the desired structural changes that facilitate tunable intramolecular charge transfer to highlight a simple and direct prescription to screen out probable efficient dye molecules among many samples. Our approach complements recent experimental evidence of capturing the structural view of the excited-state charge transfer in molecules.

Tuning the first hyperpolarizability of hexaphyrins with different connections of mislinked pyrrole units: a theoretical study

In the satisfactory design and synthesis of high-performance nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, for meeting the rapidly expanding demands of optoelectronic devices, a deeper understanding of the relationship between the structures and NLO properties has become a key issue. Herein, five novel mislinked expanded hexaphyrins with different connections of pyrrole units are selected to study the relationship between the structures and NLO properties. These five mislinked expanded hexaphyrins are neo-fused, neo-confused hexaphyrins, singly, doubly, and triply N-confused hexaphyrins. From theoretical results, the order of the static first hyperpolarizability (β₀) values is found to be: neo-fused hexaphyrin (β₀ = 4163 a.u.) < neo-confused hexaphyrin (β₀ = 5494 a.u.) < singly N-confused hexaphyrin (β₀ = 6510 a.u.) < doubly N-confused hexaphyrin (β₀ = 15 130 a.u.) < triply N-confused hexaphyrin (β₀ = 26 095 a.u.). Furthermore, β₀ values of the doubly and triply N-confused hexaphyrins are improved 2.1 and 3.7 times over that of their usual parent hexaphyrin (β₀ = 7120 a.u.), respectively. It is worth noting that increasing mislinked connection numbers and changing mislinked connection ways of the pyrrole units in these mislinked expanded hexaphyrins plays a crucial role in the tune of their second-order NLO responses.

Switching the Photoluminescence and Electrochemiluminescence of Liposoluble Porphyrin in Aqueous Phase by Molecular Regulation

By a facile peripheral decoration of 5-(4-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin (ATPP) with inherent aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active tetraphenylethene (TPE), a versatile AIEgenic porphyrin derivative (ATPP-TPE) was obtained, which greatly abolishes the detrimental π-π stacking and thus surmounts the notorious aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect of ATPP in aqueous phase. The photoluminescence of ATPP-TPE is 4.5-fold stronger than ATPP at aggregation state. Moreover, an unequivocal aggregation induced electrochemiluminescence (AIECL) of ATPP-TPE was found to be seriously dependent on its aggregation property in aqueous solution with efficiency of 34 %, which is 6 times higher than pure ATPP. The versatility of this molecular structure modulation strategy along with the ACQ-to-AIE transformation in this work provides direction to guide for applying liposoluble porphyrins in aqueous phase by designs of synthetic porphyrin AIEgens.

A New Series of EDOT Based Co-Sensitizers for Enhanced Efficiency of Cocktail DSSC: A Comparative Study of Two Different Anchoring Groups

Herein, we report the design and synthesis strategy of a new class of five EDOT based co-sensitizers (CSGR1-5) by introducing different donors (2,3,4-trimethoxypheny, 2,4-dibutoxyphenyl, and 2,4-difluorophenyl) and anchoring groups (rhodamine-3-acetic acid and cyanoacetic acid) systematically. The synthesized metal-free organic co-sensitizers were employed for cocktail dye-sensitized solar cells along with N749 (black dye). The DSSC devices with a mixture of co-sensitizers (CSGR1-5) and N749 have shown a 7.95%, 8.40%, 7.81%, 6.56% and 6.99% power conversion efficiency (PCE) respectively, which was more than that of single N749 dye PCE (6.18%). Enhanced efficiency could be ascribed to the increased short circuit current (J_sc) and open circuit voltage (V_oc). The increased J_sc was achieved due to enhanced light harvesting nature of N749 device upon co-sensitization with CSGR dyes and feasible energy levels of both the dyes. The V_oc was improved due to better surface coverage which helps in decreasing the rate of recombination. The detailed optical and electrochemical properties were investigated and complimented with theoretical studies (DFT).

Synthesis, Spectral, Electrochemical and Photovoltaic Studies of A3 B Porphyrinic Dyes having Peripheral Donors

Three new 'push-pull' A₃ B Zn(II)porphyrin dyes having meso-pyrenyl, carbazolyl and phenothiazine as electron donors (A) and phenylcarboxylic acid as acceptor/anchor (B) were synthesized and utilized for DSSC application. The spectral and electrochemical redox properties of these new dyes were studied and compared with trans-A₂ BC Zn(II) porphyrin dyes under similar experimental conditions. Red-shifted, broadened absorption peaks, lower fluorescence quantum yields, and shortened lifetimes were observed for the A₃ B dyes as compared to zinc tetraphenylporphyrin control, ZnTPP. DFT optimized structures suggested effective charge separation related to enhanced charge injection efficiency. Driving force for electron injection (ΔG_inj ) and dye regeneration (ΔG_reg ) calculated from the spectral and electrochemical studies predicted facile electron injection from excited dye into semiconductor TiO₂ in the constructed solar cells. Phenothiazine appended dye (KP-TriPTZ-Zn) showed the highest η value of 7.3 % for PCE with greater J_sc and V_oc values due to its better light harvesting ability and reduced dye aggregation as compared to other dyes. Our studies demonstrate that the dyes having multiple electron-donating groups exhibit higher photon-to-current conversion efficiency.

Solar Cells Sensitized with Porphyrin Dyes Containing Oligo(Ethylene Glycol) Units: A High Efficiency Beyond 12

A series of new porphyrin dyes (XW42-XW44) containing oligo(ethylene glycol) units have been designed and synthesized. Two triethylene glycol units were introduced into the phenothiazine moiety of XW42, whereas diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol chains were introduced to afford XW43 and XW44, respectively. Interestingly, the efficiencies of the DSSCs were clearly dependent on the chain lengths. Among the three dyes, XW42 and XW43 exhibited relatively high open-circuit voltages of 751 and 750 mV, respectively, and XW43 exhibited the highest efficiency of 10.32 % owing to the presence of the DEG chains with suitable lengths and excellent ability to trap Li⁺ . Furthermore, through a combined coadsorption and cosensitization approach, the efficiencies were dramatically enhanced. As a result, a highest efficiency of 12.10 % was obtained for the XW43+chenodeoxycholic acid+PT-C6 (a metal-free organic dye) system, which ranks among the highest efficiencies of cells based on the traditional iodine electrolyte.

Access to small molecule semiconductors via C–H activation for photovoltaic applications

Reporting ruthenium carboxylate-catalysed single step oxidative cross coupling that challenges the conventional Stille and Suzuki coupling reactions, to afford BT and MFBT derivatives.

Role of Co-Sensitizers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Co-sensitization is a popular route towards improved efficiency and stability of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this context, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) values of DSSCs incorporating Ru- and porphyrin-based dyes can be improved from 8-11 % to 11-14 % after the addition of additives, co-adsorbents, and co-sensitizers that reduce aggregation and charge recombination in the device. Among the three supporting material types, co-sensitizers play a major role to enhance the performance and stability of DSSCs, which is requried for commercialization. In this Minireview, we highlight the role co-sensitizers play in improving photovoltaic performance of devices containing Ru- and porphyrin-based sensitizers.

New indole based co-sensitizers for dye sensitized solar cells exceeding 10% efficiency

In this work, we report the molecular engineering and synthesis of three novel indole co-sensitizers DBA-3, DBA-4 and DBA-5 with D–D–A (donor–donor–acceptor) architecture.

Effect of the co-sensitization sequence on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells with porphyrin and organic dyes

To obtain a broad spectral response in the visible region, TiO₂ film is co-sensitized with a porphyrin dye (FNE57 or FNE59) and an organic dye (FNE46).

High performance dye-sensitized solar cell from a cocktail solution of a ruthenium dye and metal free organic dye

A Ru-based dye K-60 and a metal free D–A organic dye Y1 have been employed for the fabrication of a mixed dye sensitized solar cell (MDSSCs) system.

β-Functionalized Push-Pull Porphyrin Sensitizers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Effect of π-Conjugated Spacers

A series of new β-functionalized push-pull-structured porphyrin dyes were synthesized so as to investigate the effect of the π-conjugated spacer on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Suzuki- and Heck-type palladium-catalyzed coupling methodologies were used to obtain various β-functionalized porphyrins and β-benzoic acid (ZnPHn) and β-vinylbenzoic acid (ZnPVn) derivatives from β-borylated porphyrin precursors. Photophysical studies of the resulting porphyrins revealed a clear dependence on the nature of the β linker. In particular, it was found that a β-vinylene linkage perturbs the electronic structure of the porphyrin core; this is less true for a β-phenyl linkage. Theoretical analyses provided support for the intrinsic intramolecular charge-transfer character of the β-functionalized, push-pull porphyrins of this study. The extent of charge transfer depends on the nature of the β-conjugated linkage. The photovoltaic performances of the cells sensitized with β-phenylenevinylene ZnPVn exhibited higher power conversion efficiency values than those bearing β-phenyl linkages (ZnPHn). This was ascribed to differences in light-harvesting efficiency. Furthermore, compared to the use of a standard iodine-based electrolyte, the DSSC performance of cells made from the present porphyrins was improved by more than 1 % upon using a cobalt(II/III)-based electrolyte. Under standard AM 1.5 illumination, the highest efficiency, 8.2 %, was obtained by using cells made from the doubly β-butadiene-linked porphyrin.