New Dual Donor–Acceptor (2D‐π‐2A) Porphyrin Sensitizers for Stable and Cost‐Effective Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells. Issue 9 (3rd July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ambre, Ram B.; Chang, Gao‐Fong; Zanwar, Manoj R.; Yao, Ching‐Fa; Diau, Eric Wei‐Guang; Hung, Chen‐Hsiung
• Is Part Of: Chemistry, an Asian journal. Volume 8:Issue 9(2013:Sep.)
• Page Start: 2144
• Page End: 2153
• Publication Date: 2013-07-03
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300328
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1861-4728

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>A series of porphyrin sensitizers that featured two electron‐donating groups and dual <named-content id="d381e873" content-type="chemicalTechnology" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">anchoring groups</named-content> that were connected through a porphine π‐bridging unit have been synthesized and successfully applied in dye‐sensitized <named-content id="d381e879" content-type="chemicalTechnology" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">solar cells</named-content> (DSSCs). The presence of electron‐donating groups had a significant influence on their spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties. Overall, the dual <named-content id="d381e882" content-type="chemicalTechnology" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">anchoring groups</named-content> gave tunable electronic properties and stronger attachment to TiO<sub>2</sub>. These new dyes were readily synthesized in a minimum number of steps in gram‐scale quantities. Optical and electrochemical data confirmed the advantages of these dyes for use as sensitizers in DSSCs. Porphyrins with electron‐donating amino moieties provided improved charge separation and better charge‐injection efficiencies for the studied dual‐push–pull dyes. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier‐transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) and <named-content id="d381e889" content-type="chemicalTechnology" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy</named-content> of the porphyrin dyes on TiO<sub>2</sub> suggest that both <italic>p</italic>‐carboxyphenyl groups are attached onto TiO<sub>2</sub>, thereby resulting in strong attachment. Among these dyes, <bold>cis-Zn2BC2A</bold>, with two electron‐donating 3, 6‐ditertbutyl‐phenyl‐carbazole groups and dual‐anchoring <italic>p</italic>‐carboxyphenyl groups, showed the highest efficiency of 4.07 %, with <italic>J</italic><sub>SC=</sub>9.81 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>, <italic>V</italic><sub>OC</sub>=0.63 V, and <italic>FF=</italic>66 %. Our results also indicated a better photostability of the studied dual‐anchored sensitizers compared to their mono‐anchored analogues under identical conditions. These results provide insight into the developments of a new generation of high‐efficiency and thermally stable porphyrin sensitizers.</p> </abstract>