Design and characterization of porphyrin sensitizers with a push-pull framework for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cellsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details. See DOI: 10.1039/c003872p

• Main Authors: Wu, Sung-Lin, Lu, Hsueh-Pei, Yu, Han-Ting, Chuang, Shu-Han, Chiu, Chien-Lan, Lee, Cheng-Wei, Diau, Eric Wei-Guang, Yeh, Chen-Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1754-5692; 1754-5706
• DOI: 10.1039/c003872p

Novel porphyrin dyes YD14-YD17 with a push-pull framework were synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC); their spectral, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties were investigated. The absorption bands of these porphyrin dyes are broadened and red-shifted upon introduction of electron-donating groups (EDG) to the meso -positions via extension of π-conjugation. Electrochemical tests show that the first oxidation for these porphyrins occurs at a potential greater than that of the I − /I 3 − redox couple, and attachment of EDGs to the periphery of the porphyrin facilitates electron abstraction. The photovoltaic measurements show that YD14 and YD17 have a power conversion efficiency of ∼7%. Introduction of EDGs to various meso -positions is demonstrated to be achievable, and porphyrin dyes with appropriate EDGs are promising candidates for highly efficient DSSCs. A series of push-pull zinc porphyrin sensitizers has been synthesized and characterized for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells.