Molecular Design Rule of Phthalocyanine Dyes for Highly Efficient Near-IR Performance in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Exploring the Role of Central Metals in Bulky Phthalocyanines for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Two series of metallo-(Zn(II), Mg(II), and Ru(II)) and free-base phthalocyanines (Pcs) with a carboxyl anchoring group and well-established bulky peripheral substituents (either tert-butyl or bulky 2,6-diisopropylphenoxy) were synthesized and tested as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The trend of photovoltaic efficiencies (PCEs) for free-base and metallo Pcs followed the order Zn(II)Pc>Mg(II)Pc≫H2Pc ≈ Ru(II)Pc regardless of the peripheral substitution. Higher efficiencies (4.95 versus 3.63 for the Zn(II) derivatives) were achieved with Pcs bearing the bulkier 2,6-diisopropylphenoxy group, indicating a lower aggregation and more suitable HOMO-LUMO levels. Furthermore, these derivatives showed a morelevant influence of the metal on the PCE values (from the highest 4.95 for the Zn(II)Pc to the lowest 0.23 for the Ru(II)Pc. In both series, the best PCEs observed with the Zn(II) derivatives were mainly due to their highest Jsc values. The lowest efficiencies found for the free-bases and Ru(II) derivatives were attributed to a mismatch between their LUMO levels and the conduction band of the TiO2,and lower light-harvesting capabilities, respectively. In conclusion, Zn(II) derivatives are still the best Pc candidates to use as sensitizers in molecular photovoltaics.

Inducing ring distortions in unsubstituted metallophthalocyanines using axial N-heterocyclic carbenes

A series of metallophthalocyanine (PcM) complexes with axial N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (NHC; 1,3-diisopropylimidazol-2-ylidene (DIP) and 1,3-dimethylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene (DMB)) were prepared and structurally characterized. PcCoII(DIP), PcZnII(DIP), and PcZnII(DMB) are five-coordinate complexes with mild dome-type Pc-ring distortions, while PcFeII(DIP)2 is six-coordinate and has a very large ruffle-type ring-distortion with respect to typical PcM(L)2 systems. The distortion is induced by the highly steric axial DIP ligands. The distortions were quantified and classified by their bond lengths and torsion angles, and according to the normal-coordinate structural decomposition (NSD) analysis. Upon ligation of the NHC, the insoluble PcM materials were solublized in common organic solvents, with typical UV-visible Q-band maxima observable between 658 and 677 nm; the increased solubility is rationalized in terms of the reduced solid-state aggregation of the complexes, attributable to the axial ligation.

Photochemical α-Aminonitrile Synthesis Using Zn-Phthalocyanines as Near-Infrared Photocatalysts

While photochemical transformations with sunlight almost exclusively utilize the UV-vis part of the solar spectrum, the majority of the photons emitted by the sun have frequencies in the near-infrared region. Phthalocyanines show high structural similarity to the naturally occurring light-harvesting porphyrins, chlorins, and mainly bacteriochlorins and are also known for being efficient and affordable near-infrared light absorbers as well as triplet sensitizers for the production of singlet oxygen. Although having been neglected for a long time in synthetic organic chemistry due to their low solubility and high tendency toward aggregation, their unique photophysical properties and chemical robustness make phthalocyanines attractive photocatalysts for the application in near-infrared-light-driven synthesis strategies. Herein, we report a cheap, simple, and efficient photocatalytic protocol, which is easily scalable under continuous-flow conditions. Various phthalocyanines were studied as near-infrared photosensitizers in oxidative cyanations of tertiary amines to generate α-aminonitriles, a synthetically versatile compound class.

Interactions of Co, Cu, and non-metal phthalocyanines with external structures of SARS-CoV-2 using docking and molecular dynamics

The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, caused the COVID-19 pandemic, characterized by its high rate of contamination, propagation capacity, and lethality rate. In this work, we approach the use of phthalocyanines as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2, as they present several interactive properties of the phthalocyanines (Pc) of Cobalt (CoPc), Copper (CuPc) and without a metal group (NoPc) can interact with SARS-CoV-2, showing potential be used as filtering by adsorption on paints on walls, masks, clothes, and air conditioning filters. Molecular modeling techniques through Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics were used, where the target was the external structures of the virus, but specifically the envelope protein, main protease, and Spike glycoprotein proteases. Using the g_MM-GBSA module and with it, the molecular docking studies show that the ligands have interaction characteristics capable of adsorbing the structures. Molecular dynamics provided information on the root-mean-square deviation of the atomic positions provided values between 1 and 2.5. The generalized Born implicit solvation model, Gibbs free energy, and solvent accessible surface area approach were used. Among the results obtained through molecular dynamics, it was noticed that interactions occur since Pc could bind to residues of the active site of macromolecules, demonstrating good interactions; in particular with CoPc. Molecular couplings and free energy showed that S-gly active site residues interacted strongly with phthalocyanines with values ​​of - 182.443 kJ/mol (CoPc), 158.954 kJ/mol (CuPc), and - 129.963 kJ/mol (NoPc). The interactions of Pc's with SARS-CoV-2 may predict some promising candidates for antagonists to the virus, which if confirmed through experimental approaches, may contribute to resolving the global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Low-Symmetry Phthalocyanines Bearing Carboxy-Groups: Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Quantum-Chemical Characterization

The synthesis and characterization of A₃B-type phthalocyanines, ZnPc1–4, bearing bulky 2,6-diisopropylphenoxy-groups or chlorine atoms on isoindoline units “A” and either one or two carboxylic anchors on isoindoline unit “B” are reported. A comparison of molecular modelling with the conventional time dependent—density functional theory (TD-DFT) approach and its simplified sTD-DFT approximation provides further evidence that the latter method accurately reproduces the key trends in the spectral properties, providing colossal savings in computer time for quite large molecules. This demonstrates that it is a valuable tool for guiding the rational design of new phthalocyanines for practical applications.

Perinone-New Life of an Old Molecule

A review of publications on the synthesis and properties of a family of compounds called perinones was carried out. The basic molecule has been known for several decades mainly as a photostable pigment, and in recent years it has become increasingly used in organic electronics. This paper describes the methods of synthesis of low molecular weight compounds and polymers based on that molecule; the basic spectroscopic, photochemical, electrochemical and electronic properties important for the construction of organic electronics and optoelectronics devices are also discussed.

3D Structural Optimization of Zinc Phthalocyanine-Based Sensitizers for Enhancement of Open-Circuit Voltage of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

We designed and synthesized two zinc phthalocyanine sensitizers (PcS27 and PcS28), substituted with branched or cyclic alkoxy chains, to investigate the structural effect of peripheral alkyl chains on the performance of dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells. The bulky cyclic alkyl chains of PcS28 decreased the adsorption density of PcS28 on the TiO2 electrode, while the terminal branches of alkoxy chains of PcS27 did not influence the adsorption density in comparison to the previously published PcS20 with linear alkoxy chains. Under one sun conditions, PcS27 cells exhibited higher open-circuit voltage but a slightly lower energy conversion efficiency, 6.0% less than PcS20. These results suggest that the small alternation of alkoxy chains resulted in decreasing electron pushing ability of peripheral phenoxy units, giving lower short-circuit current.

Ball-Type Dioxy-o-Carborane Bridged Cobaltphthalocyanine: Synthesis, Characterization and DFT Studies For Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells as Photosensitizer

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of an innovative ball-type cobalt metallophthalocyanine 4, bridged by four 1,2-bis(2-hydroxymethyl)-O-carborane (HMOC) 1 units, has been achieved. The synthesized compound 4 was characterized structurally and electronically using elemental analysis, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, EPR spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility. The photovoltaic performance of the newly synthesized compound in dye-sensitized solar cells was investigated. In order to clarify the effect of dye-sensitization time on photovoltaic performance parameters, the sensitization time was varied from 12 to 60 h and the performance parameters were investigated. It was found that sensitization time had a strong effect on the main performance parameters. The best photovoltaic performance was achieved after sensitization for 36 h (short circuit current density, 5.41 mA cm−2; overall conversion efficiency, 3.42%). Computational UV-Vis absorption spectra of the molecule was calculated using time dependent density functional theory and was found consistent with measured UV-Vis spectra.

Zinc phthalocyanines as light harvesters for SnO2-based solar cells: a case study

SnO₂ nanoparticles have been synthesized and used as electron transport material (ETM) in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), featuring two peripherally substituted push-pull zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) bearing electron donating diphenylamine substituents and carboxylic acid anchoring groups as light harvesters. These complexes were designed on the base of previous computational studies suggesting that the integration of secondary amines as donor groups in the structure of unsymmetrical ZnPcs might enhance photovoltaics performances of DSSCs. In the case of TiO₂-based devices, this hypothesis has been recently questioned by experimental results. Herein we show that the same holds for SnO₂, despite the optimal matching of the optoelectronic characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles and diphenylamino-substituted ZnPcs, thus confirming that other parameters heavily affect the solar cells performances and should be carefully taken into account when designing materials for photovoltaic applications.

Novel 2-naphthyl substituted zinc naphthalocyanine: synthesis, optical, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties

New zinc naphthalocyanine with bulky 2-naphthyl groups was obtained. Aggregation drastically influences its optical and electrochemical behavior. Spectroelectrochemistry helps to establish the oxidation potential and reveals unusual color change.

Increased Light-Harvesting in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells through Förster Resonance Energy Transfer within Supramolecular Dyad Systems

Novel pyridine-substituted subphthalocyanines were prepared for an additional harvesting of a green spectral region of the solar light spectrum for zinc phthalocyanine-based dye-sensitized solar cells. These compounds can bind with the central metal of zinc phthalocyanines to form the corresponding supramolecular complexes as monitored by the absorption and fluorescence spectral changes. The stability constants of these complexes were altered by the number and position of pyridine units in the pyridine-substituted subphthalocyanines. On the basis of fluorescence titration study, the complexes efficiently transfer energy from the subphthalocyanine to zinc phthalocyanine. The solar cells using TiO₂ electrodes stained with the supramolecular complexes, composed of zinc phthalocyanine sensitizer and pyridine-substituted subphthalocyanines, showed panchromatic responses, and the photocurrent generation in the range of 500-600 nm is attributed to the efficient Förster resonance energy transfer from subphthalocyanine to zinc phthalocyanine on the TiO₂ surface.

Near-Infrared-Absorbing Metal-Free Organic, Porphyrin, and Phthalocyanine Sensitizers for Panchromatic Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are a promising source of renewable energy. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of devices has been limited largely by the difficulty of producing electricity using photons from the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region. Metal-free organic sensitizers frequently employ strong electron-donating or -withdrawing moieties to tune the optical band gap to allow the absorption of lower energy wavelengths in charge-transfer systems, whereas porphyrins and phthalocyanines use substituents to shift the Soret and Q bands toward lower energy absorption. Very few devices employing precious metal-free dyes have achieved panchromatic and NIR photon conversion for electricity generation at wavelengths >750 nm despite a tremendous number of sensitizers published over the last 25 years. This Minireview seeks to compile a summary of these sensitizers to encourage assimilation, analysis, and development of efficient future sensitizers with absorption extending into the NIR. Herein, we discuss common synthetic strategies, optical properties, and electronic properties of the most successful panchromatic organic sensitizers.

Spectroscopic, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of Pt(ii) and Pd(ii) complexes of a chelating 1,10-phenanthroline appended perylene diimide

The triads exhibit pronounced semiconducting properties and have the potential for use in DSSCs as a sensitizer.

ABAB Phthalocyanines: Scaffolds for Building Unprecedented Donor-π-Acceptor Chromophores

Unique donor–π–acceptor phthalocyanines have been synthesized through the asymmetric functionalization of an ABAB phthalocyanine, crosswise functionalized with two iodine atoms through Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions with adequate electron‐donor and electron‐acceptor moieties. These push–pull molecules have been optically and electrochemically characterized, and their ability to perform as chromophores for dye‐sensitized solar cells has been tested.

Synthesis of zinc phthalocyanine with large steric hindrance and its photovoltaic performance for dye-sensitized solar cells

An asymmetric zinc phthalocyanine with large steric hindrance (Zn-tri-PcNc-8) shows a best efficiency of 3.01%.

Synthesis, characterization and investigation of the photophysical and photochemical properties of highly soluble novel metal-free, zinc(ii), and indium(iii) phthalocyanines substituted with 2,3,6-trimethylphenoxy moieties

The synthesis, characterization and photophysicochemical properties of 2,3,6-trimethylphenoxy substituted metal-free, zinc(ii), and indium(iii)acetate phthalocyanines were described.

Zinc phthalocyanine sensitizer having double carboxylic acid anchoring groups for dye-sensitized solar cells with cobalt(ii/iii)-based redox electrolyte

Double anchored ZnPc sensitizer PcS25 exhibited higher conversion efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells with cobalt(ii/iii)-based redox electrolyte than single-anchored ZnPc sensitizers.

Non-aggregated Zn(ii)octa(2,6-diphenylphenoxy) phthalocyanine as a hole transporting material for efficient perovskite solar cells

A non-aggregated Zn(ii)octa(2,6-diphenylphenoxy) phthalocyanine (coded as TT80) has been used as a hole-transporting material for perovskite solar cells.

Fused perylene-phthalocyanine macrocycles: a new family of NIR-dyes with pronounced basicity

The synthesis and characterization of a new type of chromophore, namely PePc consisting of a central phthalocyanine core and four fused perylene-bisimide (PBI) units is described for the first time. The entire architecture represents a highly extended conjugated heterocyclic π-system with C4h symmetry. In order to guarantee pronounced solubility in organic solvents the corresponding PBI units were bay-functionalized with tert-butylphenoxy substituents. Next to the metal-free macrocycle, PePcH2 , also metallated macrocycles PePcM (M=Zn, Ni, Pb, Ru, Fe) were synthesized. The extensive fusion of the corresponding aromatic building blocks to the very large extended π-system leads to a very narrow HOMO-LUMO gap and as a consequence to transparency in the visible but light absorption in the NIR region. Significantly, the azomethine N-atoms N1N4 of PePcM and PePcH2 are highly basic. The corresponding tetraprotonated systems can only be deprotonated with very strong non-nucleophilic bases such as phosphazene bases. In the protonated forms PePcMH4 (4+) and PePcMH6 (4+) the absorption maximum is shifted back to the visible region due to the loss of conjugation. The experimental findings were corroborated with quantum mechanical calculations.

Molecular engineering of zinc phthalocyanine sensitizers for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Asymmetric zinc phthalocyanines with alkyl chain substituents formed highly efficient light-harvesting layers on a TiO2 surface. Dye-sensitized solar cells using PcS20 exhibited a record efficiency of 6.4% under one-sun irradiation.

Influence of the auxiliary acceptor on the absorption response and photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Three new dyes with a 2-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)rhodanine (IDR-I, -II, -III) electron acceptor as anchor were synthesized and applied to dye-sensitized solar cells. We varied the bridging molecule to fine tune the electronic and optical properties of the dyes. It was demonstrated that incorporation of auxiliary acceptors effectively increased the molar extinction coefficient and extended the absorption spectra to the near-infrared (NIR) region. Introduction of 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BTD) improved the performance by nearly 50 %. The best performance of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on IDR-II reached 8.53 % (short-circuit current density (Jsc)=16.73 mA cm(-2), open-circuit voltage (Voc)=0.71 V, fill factor (FF)=71.26 %) at AM 1.5 simulated sunlight. However, substitution of BTD with a group that featured the more strongly electron-withdrawing thiadiazolo[3,4-c]pyridine (PT) had a negative effect on the photovoltaic performance, in which IDR-III-based DSSCs showed the lowest efficiency of 4.02 %. We speculate that the stronger auxiliary acceptor acts as an electron trap, which might result in fast combination or hamper the electron transfer from donor to acceptor. This inference was confirmed by electrical impedance analysis and theoretical computations. Theoretical analysis indicates that the LUMO of IDR-III is mainly localized at the central acceptor group owing to its strong electron-withdrawing character, which might in turn trap the electron or hamper the electron transfer from donor to acceptor, thereby finally decreasing the efficiency of electron injection into a TiO2 semiconductor. This result inspired us to select moderated auxiliary acceptors to improve the performance in our further study.

Sterically hindered phthalocyanines for dye-sensitized solar cells: influence of the distance between the aromatic core and the anchoring group

A new phthalocyanine (Pc) bearing bulky peripheral substituents and a carboxylic anchoring group directly attached to the macrocycle has been prepared and used as a sensitizer in DSSCs, reaching 5.57% power conversion efficiency. In addition, an enhanced performance for the TT40 dye, previously reported by us, was achieved in optimized devices, obtaining a new record efficiency with Pc-sensitized cells.

Peripherally and axially carboxylic acid substituted subphthalocyanines for dye-sensitized solar cells

A series of subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) bearing a carboxylic acid group either at the peripheral or axial position have been designed and synthesized to investigate the influence of the COOH group positions on the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance. The DSSC devices based on SubPcs with axially substituted carboxylic acid groups showed low photovoltaic performance, whereas peripherally substituted one exhibited higher power conversion efficiency owing to improved injection from LUMO of SubPcs to the TiO2 conduction band.

Submillisecond-lived photoinduced charge separation in a fully conjugated phthalocyanine–perylenebenzimidazole dyad

A fully electronically conjugated phthalocyanine–perylenemonoimidebenzimidazole system has been synthesized, in which the conjugation goes through the imide position of the perylene.