The application of transition metal complexes in hole-transporting layers for perovskite solar cells: Recent progress and future perspectives

Structural Decoration of Porphyrin/Phthalocyanine Photovoltaic Materials

Porphyrin/phthalocyanine compounds with fascinating molecular structures have attracted widespread attention in the field of solar cells in recent years. In this review, we focus on the pivotal role of porphyrin and phthalocyanine compounds in enhancing the efficiency of solar cells. The review seamlessly integrates the intricate molecular structures of porphyrins and phthalocyanines with their proficiency in absorbing visible light and facilitating electron transfer, key processes in converting sunlight into electricity. By delving into the nuances of intramolecular regulation, aggregated states, and surface/interface structure manipulation, it elucidates how various levels of molecular modifications enhance solar cell efficiency through improved charge transfer, stability, and overall performance. This comprehensive exploration provides a detailed understanding of the complex relationship between molecular design and solar cell performance, discussing current advancements and potential future applications of these molecules in solar energy technology.

New bithiophene-based molecules as hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells and or as donor for organic solar cells

DFT and TDDFT approaches were used to design three (T16,17,18) molecules based on 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bithiophene core to explore the influence of substitution of triphenylamine (TPA) fragment by methoxy groups, and introduction of azomethine π-bridges on the optoelectronic properties of hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) or as donor for organic solar cells (OSCs). To shed light on the efficiency, stability, and solubility several physicochemical parameters were computed in dichloromethane solvent. All designed molecules show appropriate frontier molecular orbital levels, which facilitates effective hole transfer from the perovskite materials to the HTMs in the hole-transporting layer in PSC devices. They all show good efficiency and pore-fillings and are stable and soluble in dichloromethane. Electron-hole pairs can easily dissociate into free charge carriers, especially for T16 and T17; consequently, improve short-circuit current densities and facilitate hole transport. It is also advised to use T18 which includes azomethine bridges as a donor with a non-fullerene Y6 acceptor to create effective OSCs because it exhibits high open circuit voltage, fill factor and low gap energy.

Trace Doping: Fluorine-Containing Hydrophobic Lewis Acid Enables Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

With the rapid development in perovskite solar cell (PSC), high efficiency has been achieved, but the long-term operational stability is still the most important challenges for the commercialization of this emerging photovoltaic technology. So far, bi-dopants lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-imide (Li-TFSI)/4-tert-butylpyridine (t-BP)-doped hole-transporting materials (HTM) have led to state-of-the art efficiency in PSCs. However, such dopants have several drawbacks in terms of stability, including the complex oxidation process, undesirable ion migration and ultra-hygroscopic nature. Herein, a fluorine-containing organic Lewis acid dopant bis(pentafluorophenyl)zinc (Zn-FP) with hydrophobic property and high migration barrier has been employed as a potential alternative to widely employed bi-dopants Li-TFSI/t-BP for poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine] (PTAA). The resulting Zn-FP-based PSCs achieve a maximum PCE of 20.34 % with hysteresis-free current density-voltage (J-V) scans. Specifically, the unencapsulated device exhibits a significantly advanced of operational stability under the International Summit on Organic Photovoltaic Stability protocols (ISOS-L-1), maintaining over 90 % of the original efficiency after operation for 1000 h under continuous 1-sun equivalent illumination in N2 atmosphere in both forward and reverse J-V scan.

Advances and prospects of porphyrin derivatives in the energy field

At present, porphyrin is developing rapidly in the fields of medicine, energy, catalysts, etc. More and more reports on its application are being published. This paper mainly takes the ingenious utilization of porphyrin derivatives in perovskite solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and lithium batteries as the background to review the design idea of functional materials based on the porphyrin structural unit in the energy sector. In addition, the modification and improvement strategies of porphyrin are presented by visually showing the molecular structures or the design synthesis routes of its functional materials. Finally, we provide some insights into the development of novel energy storage materials based on porphyrin frameworks.

The Tail Wags the Dog: The Far Periphery of the Coordination Environment Manipulates the Photophysical Properties of Heteroleptic Cu(I) Complexes

In this work we show, using the example of a series of [Cu(Xantphos)(N^N)]+ complexes (N^N being substituted 5-phenyl-bipyridine) with different peripheral N^N ligands, that substituents distant from the main action zone can have a significant effect on the physicochemical properties of the system. By using the C≡C bond on the periphery of the coordination environment, three hybrid molecular systems with -Si(CH3)3, -Au(PR3), and -C2HN3(CH2)C10H7 fragments were produced. The Cu(I) complexes thus obtained demonstrate complicated emission behaviour, which was investigated by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and computational methods in order to understand the mechanism of energy transfer. It was found that the -Si(CH3)3 fragment connected to the peripheral C≡C bond changes luminescence to long-lived intra-ligand phosphorescence, in contrast to MLCT phosphorescence or TADF. The obtained results can be used for the design of new materials based on Cu(I) complexes with controlled optoelectronic properties on the molecular level, as well as for the production of hybrid systems.

Studies on the Structure, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Doped Manganese (III) Phthalocyanine Chloride Films for Optoelectronic Device Applications

In the last few years, significant advances have been achieved in the development of organic semiconductors for use in optoelectronic devices. This work reports the doping and deposition of semiconducting organic thin films based on manganese (III) phthalocyanine chloride (MnPcCl). In order to enhance the semiconducting properties of the MnPcCl films, different types of pyridine-based chalcones were used as dopants, and their influence on the optical and electric properties of the films was analyzed. The morphology and structure of the films were studied using IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optical properties of MnPcCl–chalcone films were investigated via UV–Vis spectroscopy, and the absorption spectra showed the Q band located between 630 and 800 nm, as well as a band related to charge transfer (CT) in the region between 465 and 570 nm and the B band in the region between 280 and 460 nm. Additionally, the absorption coefficient measurements indicated that the films had an indirect transition with two energy gaps: the optical bandgap of around 1.40 eV and the fundamental gap of around 2.35 eV. The electrical behavior is strongly affected by the type of chalcone employed; for this reason, electrical conductivity at room temperature may vary from 1.55 × 10−5 to 3.02 × 101 S·cm−1 at different voltages (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 V). Additionally, the effect of temperature on conductivity was also measured; electrical conductivity increases by two orders of magnitude with increasing temperature from 25 to 100 °C. The doping effect of chalcone favors electronic transport, most likely due to its substituents and structure with delocalized π-electrons, the formation of conduction channels caused by anisotropy, and the bulk heterojunction induced by the dopant. In terms of optical and electrical properties, the results suggest that the best properties are obtained with chalcones that have the methoxy group as a substituent. However, all MnPcCl–chalcone films are candidates for use in optoelectronic devices.

DFT Study of the Molecular and Electronic Structure of Metal-Free Tetrabenzoporphyrin and Its Metal Complexes with Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In

The electronic and molecular structures of metal-free tetrabenzoporphyrin (H₂TBP) and its complexes with zinc, cadmium, aluminum, gallium and indium were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations with a def2-TZVP basis set. A geometrical structure of ZnTBP and CdTBP was found to possess D_4h symmetry; AlClTBP, GaClTBP and InClTBP were non-planar complexes with C_4v symmetry. The molecular structure of H₂TBP belonged to the point symmetry group of D_2h. According to the results of the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, the M-N bonds had a substantial ionic character in the cases of the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes, with a noticeably increased covalent contribution for Al(III), Ga(III) and In(III) complexes with an axial –Cl ligand. The lowest excited states were computed with the use of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. The model electronic absorption spectra indicated a weak influence of the nature of the metal on the Q-band position.

Accurate predictions of the electronic excited states of BODIPY based dye sensitizers using spin-component-scaled double-hybrid functionals: a TD-DFT benchmark study

The vertical excitation energies of 13 BODIPY based dye sensitizers are benchmarked by means of TD-DFT, using 36 functionals from different DFT rungs. Most TD-DFT results were found to overestimate the excitation energies, and show mean absolute error (MAE) values in the range 0.2–0.5 eV. The dispersion-corrected, spin-component-scaled, double-hybrid (DSD) functionals DSD-BLYP and DSD-PBEP86 were found to have the smallest MAE values of 0.083 eV and 0.106 eV, respectively, which is close to the range of average errors found in the more expensive coupled-cluster methods. Moreover, DSD-BLYP and DSD-PBEP86 functionals show excellent consistency and quality of results (standard deviation = 0.048 eV and 0.069 eV respectively). However, the range separated hybrid (RSH) and the range separated double hybrid (RSDH) functionals were found to provide the best predictability (linear determination coefficient R² > 0.97 eV).

The excitation energies of 13 BODIPY dye sensitizers are benchmarked by means of TD-DFT, using 36 functionals. Spin-component-scaled double-hybrid (DSD) functionals are found to show the best performance.

Investigation of electrochemistry and electrochromic performance of metallopolymer formed by electropolymerization of Fe(II) complex with triphenylamine-hydrazone ligand

The complex of Fe(II) ions of general formula [FeL2](BF4)2 with triphenylamine-hydrazone ligand L has been synthesized and characterized. Oxidative electropolymerization of the complex proceeded smoothly on the working electrode producing homogenous thin film of metallopolymer. The film thickness and morphology of the layer was investigated by microscopy techniques such as SEM and AFM, and the composition of the film was confirmed by XPS analysis. It was found that after fifty successive oxidation/reduction cycles the film of thickness 120 nm was formed on the electrode surface. The metallopolymer was also characterized using cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical methods. The film was found to change its color from yellow to green-blue, high change in transmittance of 60% at 770 nm and good electrochemical stability during 375 cycles of switching of the potential between -0.1 V and +1.5 V, due to the presence of metal ions that link two ligand molecules resulting in formation of highly cross-linked film. The switching times (coloration and bleaching) were calculated to be 34.2 s and 7.3 s, respectively. Coloration efficiency of the formed film of polymeric complex was found to be 144 cm 2 /C.

Exploration of conjugated π-bridge units in N,N-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)naphthalen-2-amine derivative-based hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cell applications: a DFT and experimental investigation

Organic small molecules as hole-transporting materials (HTMs) are an important part of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). On basis of the arylamine-based HTM (e.g. H101), two N,N-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)naphthalen-2-amine derivative-based HTMs (CP1 and CP2) with different conjugated π-bridge cores of fused aromatic ring are designed. The CP1 and CP2 were investigated by DFT and TD-DFT in combination with Marcus theory. The calculated results indicate that the designed CP1 and CP2 have better properties with good stability and high hole mobility compared with the parent H101. To validate the computational model for the screening of N,N-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)naphthalen-2-amine derivative-based HTMs, the promising CP1 and CP2 were synthesized and applied to PSC devices. The results show that the experimental data used in this paper can reproduce the theoretical results, such as frontier molecular orbital energies, optical properties and hole mobility, very well. Among them, the results show that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the H101-based PSC device is 14.78%, while the CP1-based PSC shows a better PCE of 15.91%, due to its high hole mobility and uniform smooth film morphology, which ultimately promoted a higher fill factor. Finally, this work shows that the computational model is a feasible way to obtain potential N,N-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)naphthalen-2-amine derivative-based HTMs.

DFT and experimental investigation was used for the material design on the core engineering in N,N-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)naphthalen-2-amine derivative-based hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cell applications.

Assessment of time-dependent density functionals for the electronic excitation energies of organic dyes used in DSSCs

The absorption spectra modeled as the vertical excitation energies of 13 dye sensitizers used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are benchmarked by means of time-dependent (TD)-DFT, using 36 functionals from different DFT rungs.

MOFs based on the application and challenges of perovskite solar cells

In recent years, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted much attention because of their high energy conversion efficiency, low cost, and simple preparation process. Up to now, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar cells has been increased from 3.8% to 25.5%. Metal–organic skeleton-derived metal oxides and their composites (MOFs) are widely considered for application in PSCs due to their low and flat charge/discharge potential plateau, high capacity, and stable cycling performance. By combining MOFs and PSCs, based on the composition materials of perovskite film, electron transport layer, hole transport layer, and interfacial interlayer of PSCs, this article discusses the photovoltaic performance or structure optimization effect of MOFs in each function layer, which is of great significance to improve the photovoltaic performance of the cell. The problems faced by MOFs on perovskite solar cells are summarized, the next research directions are discussed, and the development of this crossover area of MOFs–PSC is foreseen to accelerate the comprehensive research and popularization of MOFs on PSCs.

New dinuclear zinc(ii) complexes with Schiff bases obtained from o-phenylenediamine and their application as fluorescent materials in spin coating deposition

Two Zn(ii) complexes, K1 and K2, obtained from the template reaction of zinc(ii) acetate dihydrate with o-phenylenediamine and 2-hydroxy-5-methylisophthalaldehyde (K1) or 2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-1,3-benzenedicarboxaldehyde (K2), respectively, were characterized by X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic (UV-vis, fluorescence and IR), and thermal methods. In the complex [Zn₂(MeO)_1.4(OH)_0.6(L1)]·2H₂O K1, there are two binding sites in the macrocyclic ligand and they are occupied by zinc(ii) cations found in slightly distorted square pyramidal environment. The zinc(ii) cations are connected by slightly asymmetric oxo bridges with a Zn1–O14–Zn1[−x, −y + 1, −z + 1] angle of 104.8(2)°. In the dimer [Zn₂(CH₃COO)₂(L2)]·2EtOH K2, there are two crystallographically independent binding sites both occupied by zinc(ii) cations. There is a significant difference between both complexes, since in K1 only one site is independent and the second is occupied due to the application of symmetry rules, and the geometry of both sites is identical. Thin layers of the obtained Zn(ii) complexes were deposited on Si(111) by the spin coating method and studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), fluorescence spectroscopy and ellipsometry. In the non-absorbing range, the value of the refractive index exhibits normal dispersion between 1.8 and 2.1 for K1_1–K1_3; and between 2.3 and 2.6 for the K2 series of samples established for long wavelengths (longer than 500 nm). The Zn(ii) complexes and their thin layers exhibited fluorescence between 534–573 nm and 495–572 nm for the compounds and the layers, respectively. The highest quantum yield of fluorescence was achieved for K2 in benzene and in the solid state ϕ = 0.78 and 0.58, respectively. The influence of the solvent polarity on the fluorescence properties of the obtained complexes was studied. Additionally, DFT calculations were performed to explain the structures and electronic spectral properties of the complexes.

Tin fluorescent materials were obtained using a spin coating method.

Methods of Stability Control of Perovskite Solar Cells for High Efficiency

The increasing demand for renewable energy devices over the past decade has motivated researchers to develop new and improve the existing fabrication techniques. One of the promising candidates for renewable energy technology is metal halide perovskite, owning to its high power conversion efficiency and low processing cost. This work analyzes the relationship between the structure of metal halide perovskites and their properties along with the effect of alloying and other factors on device stability, as well as causes and mechanisms of material degradation. The present work discusses the existing approaches for enhancing the stability of PSC devices through modifying functional layers. The advantages and disadvantages of different methods in boosting device efficiency and reducing fabrication cost are highlighted. In addition, the paper presents recommendations for the enhancement of interfaces in PSC structures.

Impact of Hydroiodic Acid on Resistive Switching Performance of Lead-Free Cs3Cu2I5 Perovskite Memory

Herein, we employed lead-free Cs₃Cu₂I₅ perovskite films as the functional layers to construct Al/Cs₃Cu₂I₅/ITO memory devices and systematically investigated the impact on the corresponding resistive switching (RS) performance via adding different amounts of hydroiodic acid (HI) in Cs₃Cu₂I₅ precursor solution. The results demonstrated that the crystallinity and morphology of the Cs₃Cu₂I₅ films can be improved and the resistive switching performance can be modulated by adding an appropriate amount of HI. The obtained Cs₃Cu₂I₅ films by adding 5 μL HI exhibit the fewest lattice defects and flattest surface (RMS = 13.3 nm). Besides, the memory device, utilizing the optimized films, has a low electroforming voltage (1.44 V), a large on/off ratio (∼65), and a long retention time (10⁴ s). The RS performance impacted by adding HI, providing a scientific strategy for improving the RS performance of iodine halide perovskite-based memories.

Evaluating the crystalline orbital hierarchy and high-pressure structure–property response of an extended-ligand platinum(ii) bis(1,2-dioximato) complex

Butyl substituents enhance solution processing, but undermine the short Pt⋯Pt contacts that enable metallisation under pressure.

DFT Study of Molecular and Electronic Structure of Y, La and Lu Complexes with Porphyrazine and Tetrakis(1,2,5-thiadiazole)porphyrazine

Abstract

Electronic and geometric structures of Y, La and Lu complexes with porphyrazine (Pz) and tetrakis(1,2,5-thiadiazole)porphyrazine (TTDPz) were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and compared. The nature of the bonds between metal atoms and nitrogen atoms has been described using the analysis of the electron density distribution in the frame of Bader’s quantum theory of atoms in molecule (QTAIM). Simulation and interpretation of electronic spectra were performed with use of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. Description of calculated IR spectra was carried out based on the analysis of the distribution of the potential energy of normal vibrations by natural vibrational coordinates.

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Recent progress in porphyrin- and phthalocyanine-containing perovskite solar cells

In this review, we summarize the application of porphyrins and phthalocyanines in perovskite solar cells to date. Since the first porphyrin- and phthalocyanine-based perovskite solar cells were reported in 2009, their power conversion efficiency has dramatically increased from 3.9% to over 20%. Porphyrins and phthalocyanines have mostly been used as the charge selective layers in these cells. In some cases, they have been used inside the perovskite photoactive layer to form two-dimensional perovskite structures. In other cases, they were used at the interface to engineer the surface energy level. This review gives a chronological introduction to the application of porphyrins and phthalocyanines for perovskite solar cells depending on their role. This review article also provides the history of porphyrin and phthalocyanine derivative development from the perspective of perovskite solar cell applications.

[1]Benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene-Phthalocyanine Derivatives: A Subclass of Solution-Processable Electron-Rich Hole Transport Materials

The [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (BTBT) planar system was used to functionalize the phthalocyanine ring aiming at synthesizing novel electron-rich π-conjugated macrocycles. The resulting ZnPc-BTBT and ZnPc-(BTBT)₄ derivatives are the first two examples of a phthalocyanine subclass having potential use as solution-processable p-type organic semiconductors. In particular, the combination of experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations suggests compatible energy level alignments with mixed halide hybrid perovskite-based devices. Furthermore, ZnPc-(BTBT)₄ features a high aggregation tendency, a useful tool to design compact molecular films. When tested as hole transport materials in perovskite solar cells under 100 mA cm^-2 standard AM 1.5G solar illumination, ZnPc-(BTBT)₄ gave power conversion efficiencies as high as 14.13 %, irrespective of the doping process generally required to achieve high photovoltaic performances. This work is a first step toward a new phthalocyanine core engineerization to obtain robust, yet more efficient and cost-effective materials for organic electronics and optoelectronics.

Azides and Porphyrinoids: Synthetic Approaches and Applications. Part 2-Azides, Phthalocyanines, Subphthalocyanines and Porphyrazines

The reaction between organic azides and alkyne derivatives via the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) is an efficient strategy to combine phthalocyanines and analogues with different materials. As examples of such materials, it can be considered the following ones: graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, silica nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, and quantum dots. This approach is also being relevant to conjugate phthalocyanines with carbohydrates and to obtain new sophisticated molecules; in such way, new systems with significant potential applications become available. This review highlights recent developments on the synthesis of phthalocyanine, subphthalocyanine, and porphyrazine derivatives where CuAAC reactions are the key synthetic step.